











































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































ns- 4 ? 

~7J~n 




HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 



PLYMOUTH : 


W. H. LUKE, PRINTER, BEDFORD STREET. 































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































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I 

























































































PLYMOUTH HAYEV- too. 

.From a fhart drawn in the reitin of JY-ftcniy Ylll 
•^preserved in the ,British jJVluseu m • yxV> j 

















































































































































































































































































































A 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


BY 

LLEWELLYNN JEWITT, E.S.A., 

ETC., ETC., 


Author of “ The Life of Jonah Wedgwood.” ,• “Grave Mounds and their Contents” $ 
“ Life of William Hutton ” ; “ Domesday Book of Derbyshire ” ; 

“ Chatsworth , ” etcetc., etc.; and 
Editor of (e The [Reliquary Quarterly Journal and Review,” etc. 


ILLUSTRATED WITE WOOD ENGRAVINGS, 


LONDON: 

SIMPEIN, MARSHALL & Co., STATIONERS’ HALL COURT. 

PLYMOUTH: 

W. H. LUKE, BEDFORD STREET. 

1873. 

{All rights reserved .] 

t 









TO HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS 

ALBEET EDWABD, PBIHCE OF WALES, K.G., 

ETC., ETC., ETC., 

THIS HISTORY OF THE ANCIENT AND LOYAL 

\ ' * ««. 

BOBOUGH OF PLYMOUTH, 

OF WHICH ms ROYAL HIGHNESS HOLDS THE OFFICE OF 

LOBD HIGH STEWAEH, 

IS, 

BY HIS MOST GRACIOUS AND SPECIAL PERMISSION, 
DEDICATED WITH THE MOST PROFOUND FEELING OF RESPECT 

AND WITH EARNEST PRAYERS FOR HIS LONG 
LIFE ’ AND HAPPINESS, 

/ 

4 

t 

BY ms MOST FAITHFUL AND DEVOTED 
SERVANT, 


LLEWELLYNN JEWITT 











































' 

■ 









ft vfM 














■ • i • < '*• k. 





INTRODUCTION. 

BSTjSlN presenting this volume to the world, it is right, at 
ELBs the outset, to say a few words as to its origin and the 
reasons which have induced its preparation. In fact, as the 
volume itself professes to be a History of the Town of 
Plymouth, so, I conceive, this “Introduction” ought to he, 
in spite of tautology, a history of this History. This, very 
briefly, I proceed to lay before its readers, and as my work 
commences its records with the earliest periods of the annals 
of Plymouth, so this Introduction shall, as it ought, begin 
with the first attempt to collect materials for its preparation. 

Some years before his death, the late Mr. Nettleton, the well 
known bookseller of Plymouth, commenced the collection of 
materials towards a history of that borough, without however, 
I believe, having any view to arranging them for publication. 
His collection mainly consisted of various notices of Plymouth 
from different histories of Devonshire, and other sources, copied 
out into a series of volumes; extracts from town records; 
copies of charters, etc. ; and a list of Mayors, arranged in 
years, under which he had, here and there, made entries of 
events that had occurred. At Mr. Nettleton’s death this 
collection passed, by purchase, into the hands of Mr. W. H. 
Luke, who some time afterwards placed it in my hands as the 

f / 

v T *. • '• • • * 

/ * % . <55, 


\ 




Vlll 


INTRODUCTION. 


nucleus of a “ History of PlymouthI then arranged to 
prepare for him. On going through the volumes I found hut 
little heyond the mayoral annals and copies of documents 
that would he of value for the plan of my work, hut, 
fortunately, I had large collections of my own, which fell in 
remarkably well with them. I determined for the first portion 
of my work, to adopt, with modifications, Mr. Nettleton’s plan 
of mayoral annals and to add to it, from every source that 
might prove available, records of events, year by year, and to 
bring these down to the hour of publication. This I 
have done, and the annals, as I have prepared them, form a 
large and important part of my present volume. To this I 
have prefixed a brief historical notice of the locality so as to 
carry the history hack to pre-historic times, and so render that 
part of my work as complete as circumstances would allow. 

The remainder of the volume I have devoted to a history 
and description of the town and of its various public buildings, 
its religious establishments, fortifications, manufactures, insti¬ 
tutions and attractions, and of places of interest in its 
neighbourhood. 

Thus the work is entirely original, and I can safely say 
that no trouble, pains, or expense, have been spared to make 
it worthy of the great and growing town whose history it is 
intended to illustrate. 

At the time of my first undertaking the preparation of this 
work, no “ History of Plymouth ” had ever been published, or 
was in preparation, or even thought of. The field was 


INTRODUCTION. 


IX 


therefore entirely clear, and my announcement was as follows:— 

“ It has long been a matter of surprise that a town of such 
magnitude and importance as Plymouth no history has as 
yet been written; and that, beyond the information contained 
in guide books, which have from time to time been issued, 
there is literally nothing known publicly, of its early history 
or of the different events which have occurred in connection 
with it. It is strange, and is indeed a serious reproach to the 
town, that while almost every other borough in the king¬ 
dom—nay, almost every parish and market town—has had its 
history chronicled and made as imperishable as goodly folio, 
quarto, or octavo volumes can make it, that of Plymouth 
should have remained so long unwritten, and, consequently, 
unknown, not only to its own inhabitants, but to the world 
at large. It has been the aim of the Editor of the present work, 
so far as in him lies, to remove this reproach from the town, 
and to produce a history, so far as available information will 
admit, which shall be worthy of itself, fit to find a place in 
the library of the topographer and the historian, and make its 
way into the hands of every inhabitant of the place.” 

The first portion of the present volume was at once put to 
press and was proceeded with as rapidly as the nature of the 
work, and the other engagements of myself and of the publisher, 
would allow. When about one half of the entire work was 
actually printed off, another so called “History of Plymouth ” 
was, much to my surprise, announced as ready for publication, 

and was at once issued. It has not, however, affected my 
work dr my labours in the slightest degree, and I am well 


X 


INTRODUCTION. 


content—nay, only too ready—to let the two, be side by 
side for careful comparison, stand the test of public 
criticism. On the total disregard of literary etiquette by its 
compiler, who, while a work long announced, and actually 
passing as rapidly as circumstances would allow through 
the press, attempted to forestall it by one of his own, it is 
not worth my while to remark. If he can reconcile it to his 
own conscience, well and good—I am content. My own and only 
feeling is that, in a large town like Plymouth, there is “room 
enough for all,” and I heartily congratulate the town, that, 
instead of having no written History at all, it has now the 
advantage of having two, which, so far from interfering with 
each other, may well stand side by side on the library shelf. 

It remains only for me now to say, that after a long but 
unavoidable delay, my “ History of Plymouth ” is at last 
presented to the public. It may have (and doubtless has) 
faults, and errors may here and there have crept in, but these, 
if pointed out to me, I shall hope to rectify in a future edition. 
I trust, however, it may be found to be, what it has been 
my wish to make it, a work worthy of Plymouth and of Ply¬ 
mouthians, and one which may be referred to with confidence 
by all into whose hands it may fall. 

To those kind friends who have aided me with information— 
and I am proud to feel and to know that in the town I lived 
in for years and love so well, and with whose literary and 
scientific institutions I was so intimately connected, I have 
many friends—I beg to tender my warmest thanks. 


INTRODUCTION. xi 

One word for the publisher and proprietor before closing, 
is a matter of duty and of real pleasure to me. He has been 
unsparing in his attention to the work during its entire 
progress, and I have to thank him for extending its size very 
considerably beyond its first projected limits. When first 
talked about, a volume of five hundred pages was made the 
basis of calculation. I felt, however, that to confine it to that 
extent would be to curtail it very mischievously, and Mr. 
Luke, with a liberality not possessed by all publishers, at once 
consented to its extension, and to the adding of several more 
engravings. It now exceeds seven hundred pages, and the 
public will thus owe Mr. Luke a debt of gratitude, which, I 
have faith in them, they will amply repay him by an extended 
patronage of the work, whose production has been so costly 

to him. 

I s 


The Hall, Winster, 
Derbyshire. 

January 1 st , 1873. 


LLEWELLYNN JEWITT. 










CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER I. 

Pre-Historic period—Advantages of Situation—The Dam- 
nonii—The Silures—The Belgic-Gauls—The Iberian settlers 
—Phoenician traders—Tyrian and Gaditanian vessels cross 
to Devonshire for Tin—The Cassiterides—Merchants of 
Massilia trade for Tin—The Homans discover the trade— 
Dwellings of the Ancient Britons—Encounter between 
Corinaeus and Gogmagogon the Hoe at Plymouth—Drayton’s 
“ Polyolbion”—Ancient British remains at Mount Batten— 

Cave at Stonehouse—Kent’s Cavern at Torquay. 

Pages 1 to 11. 

CHAPTER II. 

The Romano-British period—Roman roads—Ikneild-Stieet— 

Roman Coins—Bronze implements—Moulds for casting 
bronze blades—Spear heads—Roman pottery. 

Pages 12 to IS. 

CHAPTER III. 

Discoveiy of a Cemetery and other remains at Stamford 
Hill—Mr. Spence Bate’s account of the discovery—Bronze 
Mirrors— Bracelets — Armlets — Eibulse — Pottery — Glass 
vessels—Rings—Implements of Iron, etc. 

Pages 17 to 34, 

CHAPTER IV. 

The Kormans, Anglo-Saxons, and Danes—Domesday Book 
-—Members of Parliament first returned—Vessels for the 
Royal Eleet—Disputes with the Prior of Plympton— 
Plymouth ravaged by Pirates—Edward the Black Prince 
at Plymouth—Siege of Calais—Impressment of Ships— 

Transit of Pilgrims—Incursions by the Bretons—The Eirst 
Charter of Incorporation, etc., etc. 

Pages 35 to 162, 





CONTENTS. 


Ill! 


CHAPTER Y. 

Annals continued from the year 1620 to 1680. 

Pages 163 to 234. 

CHAPTER YI. 

Annals continued from the year 1680 to 1720. 

Pages 235 to 323. 

CHAPTER YIL 

Annals continued from the year 1720 to 1800. 

Pages 324 to 382. 

CHAPTER YIII. 

Annals continued from the year 1800 to 1871. 

Pages 383 to 474. 

CHAPTER IX. 

Situation—Character—Streets—Municipal Government— 
Population—Statistics—Markets, Fairs, and Shambles— 
Ancient regulations regarding Brewers, Butchers and others. 

Pages 475 to 491. 

CHAPTER X. 

Religious Houses—The White Friars—The Grey Friars— 

Leper’s Hospital—The Black Friars—The Abbey—Chapel 
of St. Catherine—Chapel of St. Michael—Chapel of Our 
Lady of Grace—Palace Court—St. Andrew’s Church and its 
Monuments. 

Pages 492 to 533. 

CHAPTER XI. 

Charles Church and its Monuments—St. Andrew’s Chapel— 
Charles Chapel—St. Peter’s Church—Trinity Church— 

Christ Church—St. John the Evangelist Church—St. James’s 
Church—Emanuel Church—St. Saviour’s Church—Citadel 
Church and its Monuments—Portland Chapel—Noncon¬ 
formity in Plymouth—Yarious Dissenting Bodies. 

Pages 534 to 568. 

CHAPTER XII. 

*» 

The Guildhall—Corporation Plate—Maces—Seals, etc.— 

New Municipal Buildings—Corporate Ceremonies—Fishing 
Feast-—Exchange—Custom House—Post Office—Theatre— 
Assembly Rooms—Library—Mechanics’ Institution—Athe¬ 
naeum—Volunteers—Water Works—Hospital of Poor’s 
Portion—Alms Houses—Hospital of Orphans’ Aid— 
Cemetery—Hospitals and other Charitable Institutions, etc. 

Pages 569 to 617. 


xiv 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER XIII. 

Manufactures, etc.—Plymouth China and Earthenware 
—Bell Pounding—\Voollen Trade—Oil Mills—Salt—Sail 
Cloth—Soap Works—Sugar Refineries—Distilleries—Starch 
and Black Lead—Biscuits—Iron Foundries—Patent Candles 
—Newspapers—Hotels—Diligences—Coaches — Railways— 
Tramways—Gas, etc. 

Pages 618 to 647. 

CHAPTER XIV. 

The Castle—Town Walls—Gates—Conduits—Ducking Stool 
—The Citadel—The Fortifications and Defence of Ply¬ 
mouth—The Hoe—St. Nicholas or Drake’s Island—The 
Breakwater—The Breakwater Fort—The Eddystone Light¬ 
house—Mount Batten. 

Pages 648 to 680. 

CHAPTER XV. 

Mount Edgcumbe—The House and Grounds—The 
Gardens—The family of Edgcumbe—Cawsand—Maker— 
Saltram—The House and Grounds—Collection of Pictures— 

Family of Parker, etc. 


Addenda to Annals. 


Pages 681 to 699. 
Pages 700 to 701. 


LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 


PLATES. 

I. Ancient Chart of Plymouth Haven 
^IL Ancient British Coins, from Mount Batten 
_III. Stone Moulds for Casting Bronze Weapons, from Hennock 

- IV. Bronze Weapons, from Tallaton 

- V. Bronze Weapons, from Winkleigh and Worth 
—VI. Plymouth Life Boat 

—VII. Corporation Maces and Loving Cups 
—VIII. Map of Fortifications, &c., Luring the Siege of Plymouth 
-IX. New Municipal Buildings 
"X. New Guildhall 
— XI. Mount Edgcumbe—The House 
~ XII. Mount Edgcumbe—The Gardens 
XIII. The Sound and Drake’s Island, from Mount Edgcumbe 

WOOD ENGRAVINGS. 


1 Ancient British Bronze Coins, from Mount Batten . 9 

2 Ancient British Gold Coins, Ditto .... 9 

3 Ancient British Silver Coins, Ditto - - - - 10 

4 Bronze Spearhead, from South Brent - - - 15 

5 Ancient House in Notte Street - - - .81 

6 Ancient Gabled House in Notte Street - - - 81 

7 The Spanish Armada ..... 121 

8 Portrait of Sir Francis Drake - 123 

9 Portrait of Sir John Hawkins .... 131 

10 The Old Guildhall, Erected in 1605 - - - 140 

11 Portrait of Sir Walter Baleigh - 153 

12 The Albert Tubular Bridge .... 447 

13 Clock Tower and Bell Turret, and Boyal Hotel * . 449 

14 The White Friars ..... 492 

15 The Grey Friars - - 495 

16 The Abbey ...... 498 

17 St. Catherine’s Chapel on the Hoe - - - 498 





LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 


XVI 

18 Palace Court 

19 Monument to Sir John Skelton 

20 St. Andrew’s Church 

21 Charles’ Church - 

22 Sherwrll Chapel - 

23 Ancient Seal of the Borough of Plymouth 

24 Ditto Ditto 

25 Ditto Ditto 

26 Arms of the Borough 

27 The Old Theatre at Frankfort Gate 

28 Public Library—Old Front 

29 Plymouth China—Shell Piece 


30 

Ditto 

Elephant 




627 

31 

Ditto 

Teapot - 




628 

32 

Ditto 

Drinking Mug 




628 

33 

Ditto 

Ditto 




629 

34 

Ditto 

Plate 




629 

35 

Ditto 

Marks - 




629 

36 

Boyal Hotel, Assembly Booms, &c. 




643 

37 

Duke of Cornwall Hotel - 




643 

38 

The Castle and Barbican - 




649 

39 

Old Town Gate 





651 

40 

Hoe Gate - 

m m m 




652 

41 

Ducking Stool 

m m m 




653 

42 

Entrance Gateway of the Citadel - 




654 

43 

The Hoe - 

m m m 




663 

44 

The Breakwater 

m m m 




667 

45 

Lump of Lead 

• • m 




673 

46 

The Eddystone Lighthouse 




674 

47 

Ditto 

Plan of Dovetailing 




675 

48 

Ditto 

Ditto 




676 

49 

Ditto 

Ditto 




676 

50 

Ancient British Gold Coin 




678 

51 

Ancient British Bronze Coin 




678 


52 Ditto 

53 Ditto 

54 Ditto 

55 Ditto 

56 Ditto 

57 Ditto 

58 Mount Edgcumbe 

59 Laira Bridge 


Page 

501 

517 

532 

536 

559 

574 

575 

576 

577 
590 
594 
627 


678 

679 
679 
679 
679 
679 
681 
G95 







HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


* 


CHAPTER I. 

PRE-HISTORIC PERIOD-ADVANTAGES OE SITUATION- 

THE DAMNONII-THE SILURES-THE BELGIC-GAULS-THE 

IBERIAN SETTLERS-PHOENICIAN TRADERS-TYRIAN AND 

GADITANIAN VESSELS CROSS TO DEVONSHIRE EOR TIN- 

THE CASSITERIDES-MERCHANTS OF MASSILIA TRADE FOR 

TIN-THE ROMANS DISCOVER THE TRADE-DWELLINGS OF 

THE ANCIENT BRITONS-ENCOUNTER BETWEEN CORINiEUS 

AND GOGMAGOG ON THE HOE AT PLYMOUTH-DRAYTON’S 

POLYOLBION-ANCIENT BRITISH REMAINS AT MOUNT BAT¬ 
TEN-CAVE AT STONEHOUSE-KENT’S CAVERN AT TORQUAY. 

The early history of any town which possesses the 
slightest claim to antiquity, is, naturally, involved in 
mystery, and is so obscure as only to be arrived at 
by the most careful and pains-taking research. It is 
natural that it should he so, and that all attempts 
to fix a date to its foundation must in a great 
measure he presumptive. Plymouth certainly is no 
exception to this general rule, and it would be 
little more than speculation to attempt to fix even 
an approximate period to it first foundation. Dating 
hack to pre-historic times, the town no doubt owes its 
origin to its admirable situation as a harbour, and its 

B 
















2 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


desirable position at the confluence of two such import¬ 
ant rivers as the Plym and the Tamar, and to the 
commanding altitude of some of its native heights. 

Possessing all the advantages of situation both land¬ 
ward and sea-ward, with fertile and well-watered land, 
abundant woods and grazing grounds—the delight of 
the hunter—with natural rock fortresses on its most 
pregnable side, and heights which commanded an un¬ 
interrupted view of the surrounding country for many 
miles, the site where stands the present and important 
town of Plymouth—the u Metropolis of the West”— 
Avas just the one to be chosen by the early inhabitants 
of this island Avhereon to found a colony; and this 
they evidently did at a very early period of this, their 
pre-historic existence. That this place was inhabited 
by the Ancient Britons is abundantly proved by 
remains of that people which have been exhumed, 
and that they held maritime connection with foreign 
states is also placed beyond reasonable doubt. 

In this period, the district Avas inhabited by the 
Damnonii , a race which spread itself over this county 
and the adjacent one of Cornwall. The Silures , a 
race of Iberians whose first colony was probably 
brought over by the Phoenicians, occupied the Scilly 
Islands, and gradually extended themselves over Corn¬ 
wall and this part of Devonshire, but Avere ultimately 
supplanted by the Belgic-Gauls avIio drove them from 
their settlements and their mines, in this district, 
whence they migrated and took refuge among the 
mountains of South Wales. 






THE SI LURES. 


n 

O 


The Silures were of Iberian origin, and were 
probably brought over as miners by the Phoenicians, 
who had for a long time traded with the inhabitants 
of this district for tin. The Iberians themselves do 
not appear to have been distinguished in navigation, 
but their knowledge of this art must in some parts of 
Spain have been materially advanced by their contact 
with the Phoenicians, who had permanent settlements 
among, and were mixed with, the Iberian people. 
William Yon PInmboldt has shown that names of 
places compoimded of ura, which in the Basque or 
Enskarian signifies water, are of common occurrence 
in the Peninsula and Iberian part of Gaul, but not 
elsewhere: such names are Asturia, Iburia, Ilurbiba, 
etc. The country of the Astaires and that of the 
Silures were separated from each other by the waters 
of the Bay of Biscay and the British Ocean, and as 
the former seem to have derived their name from asta 
a rock, and ura water, so may the latter have owed 
theirs to ura water with a Basque prefix sal, ml, or 
soloa, (a meadow.) We are moreover, as has been 
remarked, by no means compelled to restrict the 
observation of Tacitus altogether to the Silures, or to 
the district to which in his days they were confined, the 
Silures perhaps being named, as a more distinguished 
tribe, gens nobilissima . The Scilly Isles themselves, so 
familiar to the Phoenician voyagers from Cades, may 
not improbably have possessed an Iberian population, 


which their still existing name of Scilly may indicate. 
The passage in Solinus in which the u insula Silura ” 
“ separated by a stormy channel from the coast of the 
Damnonii is probably correctly taken as applying 


4 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


to these islands; Dionysius Periegetes (A.D. 290) 
a better authority than Solinus, and who appears to 
preserve the views of the eminent Eratosthenes, 
expressly declares that the inhabitants of the Cassite- 
rides or as he calls them the u Hesperides whence 
tin proceeds ” to be descendants of the Iberians. 
Priscianus in his Latin paraphrase of this passage 
follows Dionysius almost literally— u Hesperides , popu - 
his tenuit arcis fortis Iberia In Strabo’s description of 
the inhabitants of the Cassiterides he uses language 
almost identical with that in which he describes the 
manners of some of the people of the south of Spain, 
the dress of both being said to comprise a black mantle 
sagum or lama. The Bastelani of whom this is related, 
were a mixed race partly Iberian and partly Phoenician, 
and there is much reason to suppose that the same was 
the case with the inhabitants of the Cassiterides. The 
Phoenicians were remarkable for the facility with which 
they mingled with other races, and as the object of 
their voyages to Britain was the trade in metals and 
particularly tin, nothing seems more probable than 
that they should have induced a colony of Iberian mi¬ 
ners, probably of mixed Phoenician and Iberian stock, 
to settle in the south-west of the Island. The evi¬ 
dence on this subject, though on no one point decisive, 
is of the cumulative kind, and the legitimate conclusion 
seems to be the admission of an Iberian settlement in 
the south-west of Britain, to which in particular the 
principal tribe of Silures is to be traced.* 

It was through the Phoenicians of course—Phoenicia 
being the greatest maritime state of the ancient world— 


* Crania Britannica 



TRADERS IN TIN. 


5 


that Britain was first known to Greece and Rome, and 
that part of Britain which was first made known was 
the coast of Cornwall and Devonshire from which the 
tin, procured by the Phoenicians was got. Tyrian 
ships had probably crossed to the shores of Britain, and 
there is no doubt that Gaditanian vessels from Tarshish 
traded here for tin as early probably as the time of 
Solomon, (about a thousand years before Christ,) and 
doubtless before the time of the prophet Ezekiel, who, 
speaking of Tyre, says “ Tarshish was thy dealer, by 
the abundance of all riches; with silver, iron, tin, 
and lead, they furnished thy markets.”* Herodotus 
(450 B.C.) speaks of the Island Cassiterides (the Scilly 
Islands) as the place from whence tin was brought, and 
where ancient workings have been discovered. It is 
said by Strabo that the Phoenicians possessed the 
exclusive trade for tin with the people of the Cassite¬ 
rides, and they were so jealous of their trade that a 
Gaditanian vessel being tracked by a Roman ship for 
the purpose of discovering the country from whence 
tin was obtained, the master ran his vessel ashore, 
rather than allow them to discover his route. Later 
on the Carthaginians shared the trade, and they and 
the Phoenicians to some extent settled and mixed with 
the inhabitants of Cornwall and Devon. In the sixth 
century (B.C.,) the merchants of Massilia traded here 
for tin. It seems that the primeval tinners of Cornwall 
carried that metal to the Island (Mount’s Bay,) where 
they met the Phoenicians, etc., and bartered it with 
the foreign merchants. The Romans discovered the 
country of tin some few years before the invasion, and 


* Ezekiel xxvii, 12. 


0 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


the metal obtained by them was no doubt taken to hi ar- 
bon, whilst that obtained by the Greeks was taken to 
Massilia. At the time of the subjugation of Britain by 
the Bomans, the people of the western district were 
nomadic, and subsisted by their cattle and by their 
trade in tin, and it would appear that not only were 
they compelled to cultivate the soil for their conquerors, 
but to work the lead and tin mines for their profit and 
advantage. 

The dwellings of the Britons, resembling those of the 
Gauls, were circular huts constructed of boards, of 
wicker-work, and reeds, and covered with straw thatch. 
Their towns or colonies, were simply a number of these 
huts placed together and surrounded by felled trees or 
by a roughly piled wall and a ditch. Under the pressure 
of the Boman invasion these defensive precautions were 
strengthened and made more important. Bemains of 
these hut circles and towns are to be found on Dartmoor 
and other places in Devonshire, and doubtless one or 
two of such huts formed the first nucleus of what 
afterwards became a colony of the Britons, and has 
grown into the present large and important town of 
Plymouth. 

It is traditionally said that on the Hoe at Plymouth, 
of which I shall have to speak in a later chapter, a 
deadly conflict took place between the Corinseus and 
Gogmagog, after the arrival of the Trojans. Of this 
supposed encounter old Michael Drayton, after graphic¬ 
ally describing the wanderings of TEneas and his son 
Ascanius after the destruction of Troy, and the death of 


CORINiEtTS AND G0GMAG0G. 


7 


Brute, his causing the death of his parents, his leaving 
Italy and his subsequent discovery of the Isle of 
Albion, thus writes:*— 


<< For Albion sailing then, th’ arrived quickly here, 

O ! never in this world men half so joyful were ; 

With shouts heard up to Heaven, when they beheld the land, 

And in this very place where Totnes now doth stand, 

First set their gods of Troy, kissing the blessed shore. 

Then, forraging this lie, long promis’d them before, 

Amongst the ragged Cleeues those monstrous Giants sought: 

Who (of their dreadful kind) t’appall the Troians, brought 
Great Gogmagog, an Oake that by the roots could teare ; 

So mightie were (that time) the men who liued there : 

But, for the vse of Armes he did not vnderstand 
(Except some rock or tree, that comming next to hand 
Hee raz’d out of the earth to execute his rage) 

Hee challenge makes for strength, and offereth there his gage. 

Which, Corin taketh vp, to answer by and by, 

Vpon this sonne of Earth his vtmost power to try. 

All, doubtful to which part the victorie would goe, 

Vpon that loftie place at Plimmoutli , call’d the Hoe, 

Those mightie Wrastlers met; with many an ireful looke 
Who threatned, as the one hold of the other tooke : 

But, grappled, glowing fire shines in their sparkling eyes. 

And, whilst at length of arme one from the other lyes, 

Their lusty sinewes swell like cables, as they striue : 

Their feet such trampling make, as though they forc’t to driue 
A thunder out of earth ; which stagger’d with the weight: 

Thus, eithers vtmost force vrg’d to the greatest height. 

Whilst one vpon his hip the other seekes to lift, 

And th’adverse (by a turne) doth from his cunning shift. 

Their short-fetclit troubled breath a hollow noise doth make, 

Like bellowes of a Forge. Then Corin vp doth take 
The Giant twixt the grayns ; and voyding of his liould 
(Before his combrous feet he well recouer could) 

Pitcht head-long from the hill: as when a manxloth throw 
An Axtree, that with sleight deliuered from the toe 
Rootes vp the yeelding earth : so that his voilent fall, 

Strooke Neptune with such strength, as shouldred him withall; 

That where the monstrous waues like Mountaines late did stand, 

They leap’t out of the place, and left the bared sand 
To gaze vpon wide lieauen : so great a blowe it gaue. 

For which, the conquering Brute, on Corineus braue 
This home of land bestow’d, and markt it with his name ; 

Of Corin, Cornwall call’d, to his immortal fame.” 

Camden j* speaking of the same supposed encounter 
says: “I shall take liberty just to mention the fabulous 


* Polyolbion Canto 1. 


f Britannia, 1007. 



8 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


combat of Corineeus with the giant Gogmagog here, 
in a line or two of the Arcliitrenius concerning onr 
giants.” 

“ Hos avidum belli robur Corinseus Averno 
Prmcipites misit, cubitis ter quatuor altum 
Gogmagog Herculea suspendit in aera lucta, 

Antheumque suum scopulo detrusit in aequor, 

Potavitque dato Thetis ebria sanguine fluctus, 

Divisumque tulit mare corpus, Cerberus umbram.” 

“These savage monsters, train’d to war and blood, 

Dash’d Corinaeus to the Stygian flood. 

Aloft in air tall Gogmagog he bore, 

And flung the Giant from his rocky shore, 

While Ocean feasted on his wasted gore. 

His corpse twelve cubits length the waves o’erspread, 

And his soul flitted to the infernal dead.” 

This tradition is interesting as carrying down to onr 
own day the remembrance of the conflicts, which took 
place between the natives of this Island and their 
invaders. 

In the neighbourhood of Plymouth, Celtic remains 
are somewhat abundant. This is more especially the 
case on Dartmoor where hut circles, tumuli, and many 
other remains are to be seen. At Mount Batten, 
Plymouth, some highly interesting remains of this 
period have been found. These consist chiefly of 
ancient British coins of different types. The principal 
discovery of these coins was made in the year 1832, 
and other coins have since then, at various times 
been found on the spot. They have principally been 
brought to light in the process of quarrying, when 
they have slipped down with the surface soil. 

These coins, which are among the most important 
antiquities yet found at Plymouth or in its neigbour- 


ANG1ENT-BRITISH COINS. 


9 


hood, and which show incontestibly, its occupation by 
the Celtic race, are as follows, and other examples are 
shown on plate II. 



Obv .—Eude horse to the right; above, a figure 
derived from the arms of Victory; in front, a ring 
ornament; below, a wheel; below the horse’s head, a 
small cross; the whole surrounded by a circle of pellets 
placed at some little distance apart. 

Rev. —Convex; a branch or wreath springing from an 
annulet, and having another small annulet near its point. 

The type of this coin which is of gold, is considered 
by Mr. Evans to he peculiar to the West of England, 
and its date is supposed to be comparatively late— 
probably of the time of Tiberius. It is engraved, Evans 
pi. C fig. 4; Vim. Jour., vol. 1 pi. 1 fig. 7; Hawkins 
pi. 1 fig. 6 ; and Euding pi. A fig. 80. 



Obv. —Convex; and quite plain. 

Rev. —Tail-less horse galloping to the right; above, 
a reversed crescent and a horse-shoe-formed figure 









10 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


terminated with, pellets derived from the arms of 
Victory, pellets, etc.; over the horse’s head a kind 
of crescent and an annulet; below, a pellet; behind 
the horse, a semicircle, etc. 

This remarkably line coin is in my own cabinet. It 
is of gold and has been engraved in the Archaeological 
Journal. 


* 



Ohv .—Extremely disjointed and almost imperceptible 
figure of horse, with pellets, etc. 

Rev .—Eude portions of a laureated bust. 

This coin is of silver, it is very similar in type to 
those given by Borlase, as having been found at 
Earn Bre in Cornwall in 1749. 

The remainder of the coins which have been found 
at Mount Batten are principally, of the class which, 
differing from the usual British and Gaulish series, 
appears to be in some way peculiar to the Channel 
Islands. The examples engraved are selected from 
those in my own cabinet and that of Mr. Cuff. 

In a naturally formed cave in Stonehouse first dis¬ 
covered in 1776, some remains of extinct animals were, 
at later period found, along with flint implements be- 










TRACES OF BRITISH OCCUPATION. 


11 


longing to the Celtic period. This again, proves the 
occupation of the spot where the “Three Towns” now 
stand, by those early races. A somewhat similar cave, hut 
which had the advantage of a more careful and scientific 
examination, was discovered some years ago at Tor¬ 
quay. In this cave remains of extinct species of 
bears, hysenas, lions, and tigers were dug up from 
beneath a stalagmitic floor of considerable thickness, 
and along with them was found a human skeleton; the 
stalagmitic floor having been broken up to form the 
slabs of the cist, in which it was placed. Intermingled 
with these bones were found flint knives, and arrow 
and spear-heads, bone implements and fragments of 
Celtic pottery. There were also ashes and masses of 
decomposed animal and vegetable matter, remains of 
fire and of feasts, and heaps of flint pebbles and flakes 
of flint in different stages of manufacture, which all 
clearly showed that the cave had formed the workshop, 
and probably the residence, of some of the primeval 
inhabitants, where they prepared the implements of 
the chase and of fishing. The mixture of the human 
remains with those of savage beasts must be accounted 
for by the stalagmitic floor having been broken up. 

Many other traces of British occupation of Plymouth 
and its neighbourhood besides those alluded to, including 
some traces of stone circles near Cawsand, have been 
noticed, but these will be sufficient to show that its 
foundation is coeval with the earliest period of which 
there is any evidence of man inhabiting this country. 


CHAPTER II. 


THE ROMANO-BRITISH PERIOD-ROMAN ROADS-IKNEILD 

STREET-ROMAN COINS-BRONZE IMPLEMENTS-MOULDS 

FOR CASTING BRONZE BLADES-SPEAR HEADS-ROMAN 

POTTERY. 

Under the Romans, although there is no evidence of 
Plymouth being a place of note—for, not lying on 
one of their roads it could not, certainly, have been a 
Station—it was, doubtless, occupied by that warlike 
people, and probably was much used as a port for 
the shipment of the merchandise of the western district 
as well as a place for fishing. 

The principal British roads in Devonshire were the 
following. The ancient-British way, the Ikneild-street, 
was the principal road, and passed through the whole 
length of the county from north-east to south-west on 
its way to the tin mines of Cornwall. A second road 
ran from the month of the Exe to the great camp 
at Woodbury, from whence it passed to Streetway- 
head, where it joined the Ikneild-street. A third 
road left Exeter and proceeded by Cleeve-hill, and 
ultimately fell into the road from Crediton to 
Exeter. A fourth appears to have joined Molland, 
Bottreaux, and some British settlements with Exeter. 









ROMAN AND OTHER ROADS. 


13 


From Mollancl another road ran to Seaton, and others 
have been traced in different parts of the county. Of 
these the Ikneild-street was the only one which came 
near Plymouth, and is therefore the only one of which 
it is necessary to speak. It enters Devonshire from 
Dorsetshire, a little to the east of Axminster and to 
the right of the turnpike road, then proceeds with it 
by Kilmington and Shute-hill to Dalwood-down, where 
it bears away from it on the left, for the sake of keep¬ 
ing the ridge of the hill, which it does till it gradually 
descends by Iloniton Church to the house called the 
“ Turk’s Head,” where it crosses it and runs direct to 
the large camp called Ilembury Fort, which was very 
probably a British post on it; from thence it ran by 
Lay-liill, Colstocks, Tallwater, Tallaton-common, and 
Larkbeare near Whimple to Streetway-head, being still 
known in this part of its course by the name of the Old 
Taunton-road. Here the ancient trackway is lost, but 
it probably continued nearly in the line of the present 
turnpike road to Exeter, which was certainly the 
principal town of the Damnonii (though we may not 
perhaps adopt the conjecture of Mr. Polwhele, that it 
is exactly delineated on a Damnonian coin.) It crossed 
the Exe at a ford a little below the present bridge, 
which ford was the site of the ancient bridge, and ran 
through St Thomas’s by the Causeway, now a nursery, 
to the village of Alphington, so over Haldon, leaving 
Ugbrooke where there is a strong British camp, on the 
right. Some way beyond this it bore off again from 
the present turnpike road at Sandygate, and passing by 
Kings Teignton crossed the Teign below Newton Abbot, 
by a ford still called Hacknield-way; then leaving 


14 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


another British camp on its left, went over Ford-com¬ 
mon, and again joined the modern road to Totnes, 
which we may fairly conclude to have been a British 
town, both from its being celebrated in the tales of our 
old historians, not only as the spot where Ambrosius 
and Uter Pendragon, hut even where Brute himself, 
landed, (and, whatever we may think of the matter of 
fact, it proves the idea of these early writers as to the 
traditionary antiquity of the place,) but also from the 
evident bend to the east which the line of road makes 
in order to pass through it.* Prom this place the road 
passed on by Brent to Plympton-St.-Mary near Ply¬ 
mouth, and thence, it is conjectured, by way of an old 
circular camp near Borrington, to a ford across the 
Tamar, probably near to the present village of Tamerton. 

Situated so near the Ikneild-street it is more than 
probable that a branch way connected Plymouth— 
then, as has been shown, used as a port for the shipment 
of tin and other articles, and as a fishing station—with 
that main road, and thus placed it in direct communi¬ 
cation with Cornwall on the one hand, and with Isca 
(Exeter) and the road system of the whole of the 
country, on the other. 

But few remains of the Bomano-British period have 
been found in the neighbourhood of Plymouth, but 
what have been discovered are very decisive as to its 
occupation by that people. Boman coins have, however, 
from time to time been found in Plymouth and on the 


* Lysons. 




IMPLEMENTS OF BRONZE. 


15 


surrounding heights, some of which are in my own 
cabinet. Bronze weapons of the late Celtic or early 
Boman periods have also 
been found in the neigh¬ 
bourhood; aud at South 
Brent, within about ten 
miles of Plymouth, the 
remarkably fine bronze 
spear head here engraved 
was found a few years 
ago, along with several 
other remains of the same 

|w 1 

period. With the spears 
were found some pieces 
of bronze tube which, it 
has been suggested, may 
have been used as ferrules 
at the lower end of the 
shaft. The spear here 
engraved, measured 14 
inches in length, and 2| 
inches in breadth at its 
broadest part. It was, 
as will be seen, barbed, 
and the rivets which had 
attached it to the shaft 
were perfect. The bar¬ 
bed form of these curious 
weapons (which were 

found at a spot called the “Bloody Pool,” now merely 
a swampy hollow on the verge of Dartmoor) is very 
unusual in England, only very few other examples 


K Jill 










































































16 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


haying como to light. They arc conjectured to have 
been fishing-spears. All the examples found in the 
“ Bloody Pool ” were broken into three pieces. With¬ 
in the blades is a kind of core, apparently not metallic, 
which is interesting as showing the mode of casting.* 

Of Eoman pottery but very few examples are 
noted as haying been found at Plymouth. They 
consist of portions of cinerary urns, and of various 
other vessels, with here and there a fragment of a 
mortarium. A few small pieces of Samian ware have 
also, it is said, been dug up. What have been found 
however, fragmentary though they have been, are 
significant as showing, with the coins and other remains, 
that the locality was inhabited by the invaders. 


* It will be interesting while giving this passing notice of bronze implements, to note 
the discovery in Devonshire of those extremely rare relics of the bronze period, stone 
moulds for the casting of blades of bronze. They are of extreme interest, as showing 
incontestibly, the manufacture in Devonshire, and within some twenty miles of Plymouth, 
of metal blades of a form rarely found except in Ireland. These moulds which are engraved 
on plate III, were found at Knighton. Two pair were found ; each mould was formed of two 
pieces which when found were placed together as when adjusted for casting; they separated 
when removed from the drift-sand and gravel in which they lay. These unique moulds are 
formed of a strong micaceous schist, similar to that found in Cornwall, and are very heavy ; 
the pair weighing about twelve pounds. Some remarkable bronze weapons were also dis¬ 
covered at Tallaton in 1867, and are engraved on plate IV. Other weapons of bronze have 
also been found at Winkleigh, Worth, and other places in Devonshire, and are most impor¬ 
tant for purposes of comparison. Those found at Winkleigh and Worth are engraved on 
plate V. An excellent and highly interesting account of these discoveries and of other 
bronze relics discovered in Devonshire, is given by Mr. C. Tucker, F. S. A., to whom the 
world is indebted for so many important archaeological discoveries, in the “ Archaeological 
Journal,” vol. xxiv, page 110, et seq. To the Council of the Royal Archaeological Insti¬ 
tute we are indebted for the loan of the engravings on plates III, IV and V, which were 
executed to illustrate Mr. Tucker’s paper, to which we have alluded. 


Plate II. 



Ancient British Coins found at Mount Batten. 













































Plate III. 




Stone Moulds for casting Bronze Weapons, found in Hennock Parish. 


































































































































































































Plate IV. 



Bronze Weapons, found in the Parish of Talaton, 1867. 


























































































































































Plate V„ 






























































































































































































































CHAPTER III. 


DISCOVERY OF A CEMETERY AND OTHER REMAINS AT 

STAMFORD HILL-MR. SPENCE BATE’S ACCOUNT OF THE 

DISCOVERY-BRONZE MIRRORS-BRACELETS-ARMLETS- 

FIBULAE-POTTERY-GLASS VESSELS-RINGS-IMPLEMENTS 

OF IRON, ETC. 

One of the most important discoveries of antiquities 
ever made in the neighbourhood of Plymouth, was 
made in the early part of the year 1865, when a 
cemetery of considerable extent was laid hare, and a 
large number of highly interesting relics found. Of 
this curious discovery, Mr. Spence Bate, who super¬ 
intended the excavations, has furnished the following 
detailed account:— 

“ In the spring of 1865, in order to remove all inter¬ 
ference with the range of the guns in the h T ew Forts 
erected on Stamford-hill, the engineer found it necessary 
to cut away the slope between it and the sea. In doing 
this the excavators came upon sundry evidences of 
the remains of an ancient burial ground. The hill on 
which it stands consists of slate, and is situated between 
the broad bay of Plymouth Sound on the west, and an 
arm of the sea that is known as Catwater, the estuary 











18 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


of the river, on the east. On the north the land 
projects to some distance, and ends in a bluff hill ot 
limestone, known as Mount Batten; between which 
and the hill on which the grave-yard stands, is a low 
grass plane, that previously to the erection of the 
Breakwater, was occasionally flooded at high spring 
tides. On the east of Fort Stamford, (being portions 
of the same, rather than a separate hill,) another mass 
of limestone stands; on the south is the high land of 
Staddon Heights. 

The graves generally were about four to four and 
a half feet deep, one foot of which consisted of soil; 
the remaining three were excavated in the partially 
disintegrated surface of the natural rock. They were 
mere hollow excavations, having the walls sharply cut 
sometimes, but this appears to have been the more 
evident where the soft slaty rock was present. The 
bottoms of the excavations were the deepest towards 
the centre, and they were filled in with the debris 
which had been taken out of them, together with 
numerous large rough weather-worn blocks of lime¬ 
stone, that must have been purposely brought from 
some of the neighbouring limestone hills. 


The formation of the slope had been proceeded with 
for some time, and the workmen stated that they 
occasionally found bones and pieces of earthenware. 
It was only, however, when they found some bronze 
articles, for which they anticipated getting a few shill¬ 
ings in exchange, that they reported the discovery to 


DISCOVERY OF A CEMETERY. 


19 


Captain Moggridge, the engineer officer in charge of 
the Fortification Works. Immediately the circumstance 
was known, I was made acquainted with the facts, and 
proceeded to watch as far as practicable the progress 
of the exploration. The graves were very numerous, 
their longitudinal axis lying mostly in a direction east 
and west. There were evidences however that this was 
not invariably the case, for in several instances they 
broke one into another; and in one case a grave appeared 
to have been associated with others at right angles. 
When I first arrived, four graves had been partly 
exposed in section, out of which some human bones, two 
bronze armlets, a bronze fibula, and some pottery had 
been previously taken. After my arrival some more 
human bones were found, which evidently formed por¬ 
tions of at least three human bodies, as were also several 
isolated molars of the pig, several pebbles from the sea 
beach mostly of one size, and fragments of glass, together 
With a vase of coarse ware. Upon opening one grave 
we found at the bottom a bronze mirror in tolerably 
perfect condition, and some traces of decomposed 
bones. A bronze fibulae was also found in this grave 
by a workman. In other places the workmen dis¬ 
covered the handles of two bronze mirrors; two, 
bronze bracelets of different formations; a dagger or 
knife in its bronze sheath; and portions of a bronze 
cup and some fibulae. There were also found frag¬ 
ments of many kinds of vases, of more or less perfect 
pottery ware ; portions of human skeletons ; and a 
considerable quantity of iron in a decomposed state, 
but showing traces of their being parts of some kind 
of implements. 


20 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


Of Bronze Mirrors the first that was found, was seen 
lying flat at the bottom at the eastern extremity of a 
grave. It was nearly circular in form, being, imper¬ 
ceptibly, without measurement, longer in one diameter 
than another, the shortest diameter being probably the 
vertical axis, when in use. The front or polished 
surface of the mirror was turned downwards; the back, 
which was upwards, was the best preserved, and was 
ornamented with a considerable quantity of scroll 
engraving. The pattern consists of three circular 
figures, the two bottom ones being larger than that 
which I take to be the central top one. Although each 
circular scroll differs from the others, they are evidently 
figured upon one general plan; the lines within, being 
segments of circles of various sizes, form crescents with 
various modifications. Some portions of the engraving 
in order to give solidity to its character, were filled in 
with numerous striated spots, consisting of three lines 
one way and three lines at right angles to them. The 
entire surface of the mirror was surrounded by a narrow 
border or rim, which was formed of a separate piece, 
and folded over the margin. This specimen was dam¬ 
aged in many parts, particularly upon the under surface, 
and some of the edge was entirely eaten away, but 
where the rim was preserved, the plate was not only in 
good preservation, but not even oxidized, retaining the 
bright colour of the bronze as perfectly as when, prob¬ 
ably, in use by its ancient possessor. With this specimen 
no handle was found, but a second example (of 
which the small portion remaining is sufficient to show 
it to be its duplicate in form,) has the handle still 
attached to it. The handle is cast in one piece in the 


BRONZE MIRRORS. 


21 


form of a loop, liaving been made by folding one half 
back against the other, and securing them in that 
position by a band, the two free ends being spread out 
to hold the mirror, which is received in a groove and 
supported on each side by a scroll work of bronze, 
of much of which, although lost, the impression still 
remains upon the plate. The greater diameter of 
the mirror is eight inches, that of the handle of the 
duplicate specimen, which is supposed to be of the 
same size as the missing handle, is four inches. 

A second handle of a more finished character was 
also found. It consists of an oval ring, the longest 
diameter being at right angles to the vertical axis; 
a shaft which is grooved at each end and doubly so at 
the middle ; and at the extremity opposite to the handle 
a grooved flange, into which the mirror was secured by 
rivets. No trace of the plate which belonged to this 
handle has been found, and the difference of form 
together with the different style of execution seen in 
the details of some of what little engraving is present on 
the flange of the handle, demonstrates that this mirror 
must in its complete state have varied considerably from 
that previously described. 

The length-of this handle is six inches and the detail 
of the engraving is made up with small uniform notches, 
while that of the preceding one consists of short 
lines placed by threes, alternately arranged at right 
angles with each other. I am informed by Mr. Evans 
that these mirrors are rare, and that only a single 
specimen with engraved back has previously been 


HISTORY OR PLYMOUTH. 



found. This was in the county of Bedford, and is now 
preserved in the museum of the county town. I know 
not whether that example is as large as the Plymouth 
specimen, but those generally found, do not exceed 
three or four inches in diameter. 

Bracelets .—The next objects of interest which have 
been obtained from these explorations, are a series of 
bronze bracelets; three of those found being of one 
form, and one of another. We will describe the most 
numerous first:—these were formed of solid bronze, 
flattened upon the internal and rounded upon the 
external surface ; they opened by a hinge in the 
middle, which was made by the insertion of a tongue 
into a deep notch or groove, and secondly a rivet on 
which the two halves swung. 

It is not exactly clear what kind of clasp secured 
them when shut, two of them had one kind whereas 
the third evidently differed. 

From the position of the rivets, it appears that the 
two shut by the projection of a central piece of wire 
that was caught with a spring clasp, much as we find 
it in bracelets of the present day : the third has a 
tongue very similar to that of the hinge, but smaller, 
and this probably was also caught by a spring. The 
external surface of these bracelets was ornamented by 
embossed markings of a running scroll that looked 
like a series of the letter S folded into each other 
successively ; the rounded portion formed by the 
bottom of one S enclosing the top of the succeeding, is 




23 


ARMLETS AND FIBULAE. 


raised and perforated by two deep holes placed side by 
side ; these holes are in some few places still tilled 
by a dull red bead as at one time, I have no doubt, 
were all the rest. The material of which the beads were 
formed, I am not quite certain of. It may have been 
jasper, as suggested to me by a friend, although from 
its appearance under a lens I am inclined to think 
that they may have been made out of the slag or waste 
material left in the pots after the melting of the bronze, 
which is often of a deep red colour. I am informed by 
Mr. Evans, that specimens in which are beads of this 
description are rare if not unique. 

The second form of bracelet, of which we have but 
two specimens, is much more slender and almost with¬ 
out ornament. Five embossed bands of which the 
centre one is the largest, ornament the middle, which 
is the shortest part of the bracelet; there appears to 
be no fastening, and the bracelet is evidently formed 
on the principle of a spring that yields to the pressure 
of the hand as it is forced on the wrist. 

A 

Fibulce .—Three specimens of fibuke were found; two 
in an injured, and one in a tolerably perfect state. 
These brooches which are of bronze are of cruciform 
shape, the upper end at which the pin is attached having 
bar fixed at right angles with the upright part. The 
lower end is widened into a plate that gradually thins 
from the front to the extremity, at which the pin 
clasps, which it does by means of the plate being cur¬ 
ved so as to form a secure lodgment for it. The pin in 
one brooch appears to have been attached to its position 



24 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


by being several times twisted round the bar. It is 
thus made secure, and, as well, receives an elastic char¬ 
acter which renders it doubly firm when fixed. In both 
the others the cross piece at the top is flattened and 
turned up at the extremities and a bar is fixed between 
the two extremities; passing through a hole is a pin that 
is rivetted at each end; round the bar, on each side of 
the pin, wire is closely twisted, which gives an orna¬ 
mental finish to the brooch as well as serving to keep 
the pin in its place. The flattened portion, which is 
bent to receive the pin is perforated in one specimen 
with three holes, each encircled by a single grooved 
line. This specimen has lost a portion of the cross-bar, 
but this appears to have borne some relation to its early 
history, in as much as that a small plate of bronze 
still remains secured to the shaft of the fibula by two 
rivets, and a hole in the plate shews where a rivet 
formerly secured the cross-bar. This, I think, clearly 
demonstrates a fracture and repair during the period 
of its use ; the length of these film he is about two 
inches and a half. 

Dagger .—A small dagger or knife in a bronze sheath 
was also dug out by one of the workmen; the blade 
of the dagger is still within the sheath, but although the 
guard is of bronze, yet I am inclined to believe that 
the blade may have been of iron, from the circumstance 
of there being a ferruginous rust, at the entrance, as 
well as visible through a crack in the sheath. The 
point that remains of the spill that was inserted into 
the handle, shews that it also was of iron. The form 
of the knife may probably be suggested from the out- 



RELICS OF BRONZE AND GLASS. 


25 


line of the sheath. It is four inches long, and about 
three-quarters of an inch broad, nearest the hilt, from 
whence the sides run parallel to nearly two-thirds the 
length, when they gradually narrow to the point; one 
side doing so more rapidly than the other, thus sug¬ 
gesting that one side of the blade possessed a cutting, 
and the other a safe, edge. The sheath is formed of two 
pieces of bronze plate, one being broader has its edges 
folded so as to enclose the smaller. A small loop of 
flattened wire is secured by three rivets to the margin 
of the handle, which thus enabled the implement to he 
secured to a belt. The whole of this (as of all the 
workmanship in bronze) is made by means of rivets, 
folds and castings; no evidences of solder being appa¬ 
rent in any part of this or other article. 

A Bronze Cup , or rather portions of one, were found 
by the workmen : the fragments consisted of the bottom 
and a part of the rim only; the bottom is about an 
inch and a quarter across, and the arch of the rim 
shews the top of the cup to have been about three 
inches in diameter: the edge of the rim is slightly 
turned out, a circumstance that is suggestive of a 
flowing or waved outline to the sides, which were very 
thin; a fact that accounts for the destruction of the cup. 

Some fragments of a glass vase , or bowl, were thrown 
out of one grave : they are of a beautiful amber colour, 
the surface being only slightly encrusted with that 
prismatic colouring which so frequently corrodes glass 
that has been long buried in the earth. The frag¬ 
ments that were recovered, are the bottom of a basin, 


26 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


a portion of the side, and a part of the rim. The bottom 
is about two inches and a half across, from which the 
base passes out in a nearly horizontal line, until it has 
reached the approximate diameter of five inches; it 
then gradually ascends to the probable height of four 
or five inches, and as gradually increases in size until 
it has reached the diameter of six inches, then it is 
finished by a hollow rim, formed by the folding of the 
edge outward, and back upon itself. 

The lower portion of the vase is ornamented with a 
series of raised lines radiating from the base, but which 
instead of passing directly to the circumference, run 
diagonally outwards, as if they were the result of lines 
formed during the time the plastic material revolved 
on its axis. Although in many parts the workmanship 
shews crudeness in execution, yet the vessel as a whole 
must have exhibited an elegance of appearance, that is 
suggestive of the idea that it must have been the pro¬ 
perty of an individual of some pretention among his 
fellows, particularly when we compare it with the 
quality of the pottery found in the same locality. 

Pottery .—With but a single exception all the ware 
that has been procured from this cemetery was in a 
fragmentary state, nor is this wholly* to be attributed to 
the carelessness of the excavators, although, no doubt 
in some measure it is due to the fact of the excava¬ 
tions having been carried on by men working for 
a contractor under government. They thus were 
compelled to pursue their regular labour assiduously, 
and were not permitted the time necessary to remove 


POTTERY FROM THE CEMETERY. 


27 


such fragile relics with safety from then* position in 
the graves. 

The ware of one of the howls, of black pottery, 
is coarse. It stands upon a circular ring which is 
about three inches in diameter. From the ring the 
bottom of the vase extends on each side until the 
diameter is about five inches; the sides then rise 
inwardly, then gradually curve outwardly, and ter¬ 
minate in a small rim at about four inches from the 
base. There is a small round depression upon the 
inside, near the upper edge, corresponding with a 
similar depression upon the outside, from which latter 
a groove passes as far as the broken edge. This 
marking is suggestive of a small horizontal handle 
having been situated in this portion; but if so, there 
was no corresponding handle at the opposite extremity 
of the basin, since the two fragments together complete 
more than half the diameter of the vase. 

A second black vase was found by Capt. Moggridge. 
This is of much finer ware than the previous one, and 
much more slender in texture, it is also of more elegant 
shape though formed on the same general design. The 
ring at the bottom is about three inches in diameter, 
the centre of which is deeply excavated, corresponding 
• with a convex elevation on the inside. From the ring 
at the bottom the sides extend either way until the 
diameter is about seven inches, they then rise slightly 
inwardly, and then gradually curve outwardly to the 
edge where they terminate without any embossed edge 
at a height of about three inches from the bottom. 


28 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


Of a third black bowl or vase, one small fragment 
alone lias been recovered, but this is enough to shew 
that the design was the same as the previous ones. 
The substance was a little stouter than the last, but 
less so than the first, and it differed from both in 
having a double embossed rim all round the middle of 
the sides. This like the two previous examples, is 
of very dark, almost black, ware, not only on the 
surface, but throughout the substance, a circumstance 
that I think must be due to the character of the clay, 
of which the vessels were made, and not attributable 
to the muffling of the furnaces during the process of 
baking. 

Another example, a very small vase, of a less dark¬ 
ened surface than the two previously described speci¬ 
mens, Capt. Moggridge was fortunate enough to save, 
in a perfect state, from the uplifted axe of the excavator. 
The bottom is flat, and about an inch and a half in 
diameter, from which it gradually rises outwardly until 
just above the middle, from which point it rounds more 
suddenly inwards to form a constructed neck just 
beneath the edge of the mouth, which turns outward. 
The diameter of the mouth is about three inches ; at the 
broadest part the vessel is about three and a half inches ; 
and the vase is about four inches in height. 

The next vase is one to which I attach value, from 
the circumstance of having made out and figured its 
entire form from the character of the neck only; after¬ 
wards finding a part of the sides and the bottom I was 
enabled to establish the correctness of my figure. The 


POTTERY FROM THE CEMETERY. 


29 


form of this vase is much like the last described, from 
which it differs in having a more sudden curving 
below the neck. It also stands higher. The utensil is 
also larger, the diameter of the bottom being about four 
inches ; of the body of the vessel at its greatest width, 
about seven inches ; of the mouth, about three inches; 
the height about eight inches and a half. It is of red 
clay. 

The next vase to which I draw attention, differs in 
form from the others, and has evidently attained a 
higher degree of external finish; unfortunately but few 
fragments have been recovered, but these are sufficient 
to establish its full form. It is composed of hard-baked 
clay, of a coarse character; the general colour is red, 
but in some places the external surface is blackened, 
probably owing to the muffling of the kiln during 
the process of baking. Its height is about four inches 
and a half; and it stands upon a circular bottom 
of about three inches in diameter, which raises the 
vessel from the ground about an inch. The bottom of 
the vase within is flat, the sides gracefully rounding 
outwards, then inwards, and again outwards to the 
mouth, the diameter of which is about six inches,— 
being in fact the widest part of the vessel, and over¬ 
hanging the body of the vase about three-quarters of 
an inch. The external surface is ornamented at the 
edge of the rim by an embossed ring; about an inch 
below by a second, but less raised ring ; beneath which 
point, the swelling part of the vessel is covered by a 
number of short engraved notches, placed in lines 
vertical to the base. 



30 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


Two vessels, apparently intended for holding water, 
were found : the first was a plain earthenware bottle, 
made of very soft, friable yellow ware. The body of 
the vessel was nearly circular, having a flat ringed base 
and a narrow neck. This when found was standing 
perfect as to form, hut was so much fractured, that it 
was impossible to remove it, except in fragments. 
The height of the vessel, which had portions of the neck 
broken off, was about eight inches, and its diameter 
about six inches. Another vessel was found of the 
same general form as the preceeding, but somewhat 
larger. It is made of a light yellow friable ware ; 
it probably stood about 12 inches in height, and its 
diameter at its greatest circumference was probably 
about eight inches. The rim round the mouth was 
reversed, having a hollow between it and the neck of 
the bottle : the outer surface of the rim was surrounded 
by a concave ring; and beneath the rim the remains of 
a handle exist, the opposite extremity of which was no 
doubt attached to the upper portion of the body of the 
vessel. 


The only other piece of pottery of sufficient import¬ 
ance to describe, appeared to have been part of drinking 
cup of yellow clay. Its sides were perpendicular to 
its flat base, and ornamented by a double embossed 
line traversing the circumference on a level with the 
lower extremity of the handle. Assuming this to 
be the case, the cup probably stood about five inches 
in height, and its circumference, taken from a continu¬ 
ation of the preserved segment, could not be less than 


IMPLEMENTS OE IRON. 


31 


four inches and a half, so that it was nearly as broad as 
high, and probably held about a pint of water. 

The iron implements were mostly in too decomposed 
a condition for us to arrive at any positive conclusion, 
as to their uses. Some appear to have been the 
remains of blades of knives; some were probably the 
tangs of knives that were driven into the handles, 
and the remains of wood, deeply stained with ferrugin¬ 
ous rust still clinging to them, support this hypothesis. 
Some, of which a considerable number were taken 
from one spot, might* have been the armed points 
of arrows, or the umbone and studs of a buckler. 
They consisted generally of an irregularly shaped 
nodule of iron from which a point or sharp tongue 
projected; there are many other pieces of irregular 
form. 

About a hundred feet distant from these graves, 
whilst cutting in a direction towards the sea, the 
labourers came upon a solitary grave of similar character 
to the rest, out of which they procured three or four 
fragments of iron, four of which upon being put 
together, were found to he remains of a pair of scissors, 
resembling in shape, and being about one-half the size 
of, modern sheep-shears. 

The others were parts of a knife. The point was 
curved forward, one edge of the blade was very sharp, 
the other, while forming the hack of the knife, was 
thick and safe. With the last implements, parts of 
three bronze rings were found. The longest was faced 


32 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


with three circular discs, the middle one being much 
greater in diameter than the other two, the lateral ones 
being of smaller dimensions and of one size ; the centre 
one is ornamented by an embossed ring round the 
margin, by two oval longitudinal nodules in the middle 
and by three circular ones on each side, of which the 
central nodule is the largest. The small circles on each 
side are deep, and when found, where partially tilled 
with a white material. They appear as if they were 
formed for the purpose, and probably once held, each 
a bead. In each of these the white substance which 
remained, may have been the remains of cement used 
to secure them in their places. The ring, which is now 
somewhat flattened, was evidently intended as an 
ornament to be worn on the finger. 


The second ring is smaller than the previous one ; 
its face is merely a flattened exterior of itself, and 
is ornamented by two rows of short vertical lines 
enclosed within engraved margins. The ring of which 
only a portion has been recovered, appears to have been 
too small to have been worn on the finger, even of a 
female, and the circumstance of the face being at right 
angles with the sides, suggests that it may have been 
used for other purposes than a finger ring. 

A small portion of a third ring was also found, but 
not sufficient to enable any certain idea to be formed of 
its character. The fragment consists of a small wire, 
flattened at one extremity, the sides of the whole being 
closely ribbed. 


ARTICJjjES BURIED WITH THE DEAD. 


33 


“Upon the completion of the work necessary for the 
fortifications, I applied for permission to make further 
search. In this way I have been enabled to proceed 
more cautiously, and to obtain a clearer idea of the 
position of the relics found in relation to each other. 
Undoubtedly the remains appear to be very heterogene¬ 
ously mingled together, but still I think the following 
may be relied upon, as being an approximation to their 
relation to each other. The blocks of weather-Avorn 
limestone, Avkicli appeared in the first instance to be so 
irregularly placed, I ascertained by tracing the circuit 
of the Avails of the graves A\ r hen it aatis practicable to 
do so, to have been placed originally as a A\ r all, within 
Avhich the corpse Avas placed in a sitting posture. It is 
probable that some of the stones were also employed 
for the purpose of covering in the body. 

“ The reason Avhy ornaments and objects of value 
Avere buried with the dead has never been clearly 
established. The few things that are found interred, 
militate altogether against the idea which Csesar has 
affirmed to be the case with the inhabitants of ancient 
Britain—that all their wealth Avas buried Avith them ; 
CA r en if Ave suppose that the inhabitants of a Boman 
colony had so far adopted the customs of the people 
among whom they had settled, as to have copied their 
mode of interment. Judging from these explorations, 
the opinion at which I have arrived is, that it Avas 
customary to bury Avith the body, either from feelings 
of affection or otherwise, all the objects which the 
.individual had possession of, at the time of death, or 
during the sickness that preceded it. 



34 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


“It is in this way only that I can account for, not 
only th§ existence of ornaments and vessels of value, 
but trace a reason for the presence of pebbles from 
the shore as well as the tooth of the pig, all of which 
I assume to have been objects of amusement to the 
child from whose grave I took them. In the solitary 
grave the discovery of finger rings, a knife, and scissors, 
indicate that it was the burial place of a female, but 
why it was separated so distinctly from the rest, there 
is at present no means of ascertaining; but that it was 
intentional, I think may be accepted from the circum¬ 
stance that a cutting in the rock was found to exist 
between it and the other graves, which from its 
appearance and character, the engineer officer assures 
me must have been originally intended as a drain. 

“ I offer these 7 suggestions merely as ideas that 
occurred to my mind as I prosecuted the research, 
which at present must be considered in an unfinished 
state, inasmuch as there appears to be a very consider¬ 
able extent of ground that has yet to be explored.’ 5 


CHAPTER IY. 


THE NORMALS, ANGLO-SAXONS, AND DANES-DOMESDAY- 

BOOK-MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT FIRST RETURNED- 

VESSELS FOR THE ROYAL FLEET-DISPUTES WITH THE 

PRIOR OF PLYMPTON-PLYMOUTH RAVAGED BY PIRATES- 

EDWARD THE BLACK PRINCE AT PLYMOUTH-SIEGE OF 

CALAIS-IMPRESSMENT OF SHIPS-TRANSIT OF PILGRIMS- 

INCURSIONS BY THE BRETONS-THE FIRST CHARTER OF 

INCORPORATION, ETC., ETC. 

During the Anglo-Saxon period, Plymouth, at first 
frequented as a fishing station, gradually rose into 
a place of note as a settlement of that people. By the 
Saxons it was called Tameonverth , which name it con¬ 
tinued to hold until, after the Norman conquest, it was 
changed to Sutton or South Town. It was named 
Tameonverth “ according to St. Indractus, in his life, 
as being situated at the conflux of the river Tamar on 
its approach to the sea.” By the Saxons, probably a 
place of worship, and doubtless many residences were 
erected. That Tameonverth became a place of consider¬ 
able resort for fishing, etc. among the Saxon settlers, 
and that it must have been tolerably fully inhabited, 
there are abundance of circumstances to show, and 
various relics of the period have, from time to time, 
been found in the course of excavations, both in and 
around the present town. 












36 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


Late in the eighth century, the Danes landed in 
England, and, not many years afterwards, made their 
way into Devonshire and Cornwall, which district they 
are said to have inhabited for some years from 786. 
In 878, Hubba the brother of Halfden, landed at 
Appledore, but was defeated with the loss of his 
standard. In 897, the Danes were again in Devon¬ 
shire, which from this time downwards, was frequently 
the scene of their incursions. Although no remains 
which can be assigned to the Danish invaders, have 
been recorded as found at Plymouth, it is more than 
probable that the place was for a time peopled by 
them, and some earthworks which existed not many 
miles distant, have been said to be of Danish origin. 

Devonshire was one of the last districts to submit 
to Norman rule, and some two years after the King 
himself had marched against Exeter and subdued it, 
the Saxons again rose and attempted to repossess 
themselves of that city, but were defeated with great 
slaughter. In this struggle the Saxons resident about 
Plymouth no doubt took an active part with their 
brethren, and were long ere they submitted entirely to 
the yoke of the Conqueror. 

In the Domesday-Book, compiled in the year 1086, 
Plymouth (as Sutone ) is described as being held by the 
King in demesne. 

The town was afterwards divided into the town of 
Sutton Prior, the hamlet of Sutton Yalletort, and the 
tithing of Sutton Kalph—a part of it having been 



DISPUTES WITH THE PPIOR OF PLYMPTOX. 


37 


granted by the Crown to the Norman family of De 
Yalletort, while the greatest part belonged to the 
Priory of Plympton. From this time the place rapidly 
increased, and in the thirteenth century began to send 
members to Parliament. 

In 1287, a fleet of ships, 325 in number, and com¬ 
manded by the brother of the King, is stated to have 
anchored at Plymouth. 

In 1292, the first members were returned to Parlia¬ 
ment. 

In 1298, the members of Parliament for the town 
were William de Stoke and Nicholas le Bydeley. In 
the same year, Plymouth furnished one ship to the 
King’s fleet. Exmouth, Teignmouth, Looe, and Fowey 
each also provided one, and Dartmouth two. 

In 1305, William Bredon and John Austin were 
returned as members to Parliament. 

2307.—“ About the commencement of the reign of 
Edward II, great disputes arose between the Prior of 
Plympton and the King, respecting certain rights and 
immunities claimed by the former, but always contested 
by the Crown. At length by a writ issued from the 
Exchequer in 1313, a jury was summoned to examine 
the various claims, and determine the differences 
between the Prior and the King. By their decision the 
Prior was confirmed in the exercise of various priveleges 
and particularly that of granting leases of houses as lord 
of the fee, the assize of bread and beer, a ducking stool 


I. 


38 HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 

and pillory, and the right of fishery of the waters from 
the entrance of Catr/ater to the head of the river 
Plym. In the reign of Edward the Third, 1327, the 
manor came into the possession of the Earl of Cornwall. 
The claims advanced by the Earl occasioned new dis¬ 
putes, which were settled by the decision of a special 
jury.” 

1310.—Sir John de Caimton having been appointed 
captain and governor of the fleet, letters were sent to 
the authorities of Plymouth and other ports, stating 
that the King supposed they were aware that Robert 
Bruce his traitor and enemy had broken the truce and 
was in arms, and that intended to proceed in person to 
Berwick-on-Tweed against his enemies, and that he 
therefore required the use of their navy. Each port 
was therefore desired to provide one or more ships of 
war well manned. In this year Robert de Sopere and 
William Smith were the members of Parliament for 
this town. 

1313. —Thirty of the largest and best ships were 
ordered to be provided by the ports between Plymouth, 
Shoreham and other places, and were placed under 
command of Sir William de Montacute. It is believed 
in this year that John Austyn and William Byrd were 
the members of Parliament. 

1314. —“A monastery of White Fryars or Carmel¬ 
ites was licensed at Plymouth, by II. Stapledon at the 
instance of the King.” 





SURVEY OE THE FLEET. 


39 


1324 .— u In consequence of the masters and crews of 
some ships of the royal fleet which the ports of Lyme, 
Weymouth, and Poole had been ordered to send to 
Plymouth by the middle of June, having quitted those 
places in contempt of the King’s commands, other large 
ships were directed to be equipped and dispatched to 
Plymouth to supply the deficiency. A priest was sent 
to Plymouth to survey the ships, and to see that they 
were properly manned and furnished with stores. On 
the 16th July, the King appointed Sir John de Crom¬ 
well, admiral of the sea coast and captain of his 
mariners and sailors in his service proceeding to 
Gascony.” 

u Accurate information of the size, officers, and 
crews of ships is obtained from the instructions that 
were issued to Sir John Deverye, a priest, who was 
sent to survey the fleet at Plymouth and South¬ 
hampton and in the other western ports, destined for 
Guienne in 1324. He was to see that the vessels were 
well found in rigging, anchors, ropes, cables, and other 
necessary articles, and that they were manned with 
good crews in the following proportions :— 


A ship of 240 Tons 

. 60 Mariners. 


200 „ 

. 50 

V 


160 to 180 ... 

. 40 

V 

)) 

140 „ ... 

. 35 

V 

V 

120 „ ... 

. 28 

V 


100 „ ... 

. 26 

V 

V 

80 „ ... 

. 24 

>> 


60 „ ... 

. 21 

V 













40 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


Every ship of 180 tons ancl upwards was to have one 
master and two constables, and those of 160 tons and 
less, one master and one constable, who were to be 
included in the number of the crew. Deverye was 
ordered to consult with the good people of the ports as 
to the bridges, clayes and “rafteux.” When a sea 
port from which a ship was required for the King’s 
service was too poor to furnish it, the neighbouring 
towns were ordered to contribute for the purpose: thus 

«* 

in 1310, when the inhabitants of Dartmouth declared 
that they were unable to maintain a ship and its crew, 
orders were sent to the people of Totnes, Brixham, 
Portlemouth, and Kingsbridge, to assist those of Dart¬ 
mouth on the occasion. Similar commands were sent 
to Plympton, Modbury, Kewton-Ferrers and Yalmouth 
(qu. Yealme-mouth) to assist the inhabitants of Sutton .” 

1337. — On the 26th February in this year, the 
western fleet was directed to assemble at Plymouth, 
victualled for 13 weeks, and the sheriffs of the southern 
and western counties were commanded to see that the 
ships were properly equipped and fitted with clays and 
bridges for receiving horses.* 

1339.—On the 20 th May, another squadron of 
“ pirates” consisting of 18 galleys and pinnaces, burnt 
7 ships belonging to Bristol, and some other vessels in 
the port of Plymouth. The enemy was however, 
gallantly resisted by the inhabitants, above 89 of whom 
were killed, and the French are said to have lost 500 
men. Two days afterwards they renewed the attack, 


* Rot. Scot. 484. 


SURVEY OE THE FLEET. 


41 


burnt all the ships in the harbour and many houses, 
but a large force having arrived, the enemy suddenly 
left Plymouth on the 25th and went to Southampton, 
where they burnt two ships. 


1340.—Members of Parliament, John Bernard and 
John Byrd. “Ko year was more memorable in the 
naval History of England than 1340. Early in 
January, Edward the Third formally assumed the title 
and arms of King of France, and resolved to maintain 
his right by force of arms. Parliament was adjourned 
in consequence of the absence of the Duke of Corn¬ 
wall, Guardian of England. Among others, the sailors 
of the western ports engaged to furnish 70 ships of 
100 tons and upwards each, and as far as they could 
at their own expense, the council finding the remainder 
of the money. Bichard, Earl of ArundelPs commission 
as admiral of the western fleet was issued on the 20th 
February.” 


1347.—When Edward the Third laid seige to Calais, 
he received the assistance of 700 ships from the sea 
ports of his dominions. The following extract from 
the list will show the relative importance of the ports 
specified at that time:— 


London ... 

25 Ships 

662 

Bristol 

... 24 


608 

Portsmouth 

5 

>> 

96 

Plymouth... 

... 26 


... 603 

Fowey 

... 47 

V 

... 770 

Yarmouth... 

... 43 


... 1905 


>> 

u 


42 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


Dartmouth 

31 

Ships . 

. 757 

Mariners. 

Hull . 

16 

•> 

. 466 

o 

Ilfracombe 

6 


79 

>> 

Milford . 

2 

>> 

24 

?? 

Cardiff . 

1 

o 

. 51 


Swansea . 

1 

V 

29 

o 

Carmarthen 

1 

>> 

16 

JJ 

Mersey (Liverpool) 

1 

JJ 

6 

JJ 

1348.—In January 

1348, forty 

ships were ordered 


to be provided by the western ports and to assemble 
at Plymouth, to carry to Bordeaux, the Princess Joan, 
the King’s daughter, who was intended to be married 
to the eldest son of the King of Castile. In this same 
year, Edward the Black Prince landed at Plymouth 
from Prance, and dined with the Prior of Plympton. 
On the 14th March, Sir Eeginald Cobham was appointed 
admiral of the western fleet, and orders were issued 
for impressing mariners to man the King’s ships. 

1354.—On the 10th July, the Prince of Wales was 
constituted Lieutenant of Gascony, but he was detained 
at Plymouth by contrary winds until 8th September, 
when he sailed with about 300 ships full of troops and 
stores, and arrived in the Gironde after a short passage. 

1357.—“Edward the Black Prince having gained the 
ever memorable victory of Poictiers, in which 12,000 
English defeated an army of more than 60,000 of the 
choicest troops of France, taking John, King of France, 
his youngest son, and a great number of noblemen, 
prisoners on his return, landed at Plymouth, and from 









PASSAGE OYER THE TAMAR. 


43 


tlience went to Exeter, was received with the greatest 
testimonies of joy; the prince and his royal prisoners 
were nobly entertained at the expense of the mayor, 
and also by the mayor and citizens of Exeter, during 
their stay in that city, which was three days.”* 

1360.—Three ships and a u Crayer ” of Plymouth, 
conveyed Constance Lady Ivnollys, 20 men at arms 
and 40 mounted archers and her suite to Brittany. 
The “ Crayer ” was a small merchant vessel, which 
seldom exceeded 60 tons in burden. 

1362.—In June, ships were ordered to he found for 
the passage of the Prince of Wales who was created 
Duke of Aquitaine, to Gascony, which were to 
assemble at Plymouth by the 15th of August. The 
prince’s voyage was however postponed until the 
following year, and the ships were afterwards ordered 
to he at that port by Easter-day in 1363. 

1364.—On the 7th July, Sir Balph Spigurnell was 
made admiral of the south, north, and western, fleets, 
and also appointed keeper of Dover Castle and warden 
of the Cinque ports. The right of passage over the 
river Tamar at Saltash in Cornwall, and an annuity of 
<£20 was granted by the Prince of Wales, and con¬ 
firmed by the King in August in this year, to the 
prince’s porter, William Lenche, in consideration of 
his having lost an eye at the battle of Poictiers.j* 

1370 .—Early in May, shipping and mariners were 
sent to Dartmouth, and every vessel in the Welch ports 


* Jenkins. 


f Faedera III, 741. 





44 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


of from 12 to 40 tons ordered to proceed to South¬ 
ampton, but ships above 40 tons were to go to Plymouth 
for the passage of the Duke of Lancaster and his troops 
to Gascony. Several vessels were also hired to convey 
an embassy to the King of Navarre in Normandy, and 
to bring some of his knights to England. 

1371.—“ Edward the Black Prince, being in a con¬ 
sumptive state, returned from Prance and landed at 
Plymouth. In his journey to London, he went to 
Exeter with the princess his wife and was joyfully 
received, but being in a very weak condition, he staid 
several days to recover his strength. During his stay, 
the prince and his suite were elegantly entertained at 
the expense of the mayor, at whose house he lodged 
till his departure from Exeter.” * 

In March every vessel of 100 tons and upwards, all 
vessels and boats called “ Pikards,” of 10 or more tons, 
in the Severn and Wales, Gloucester, Devon, and 
Somerset, except Bristol, were arrested and sent to 
Plymouth and placed under Admiral Sir Guy Byran. 

1374.—Eight of the King’s ships and other ships 
and barges being about to cruize on the western coast, 
sailors were ordered to be impressed to man them on 
the 28th January and 3rd February. An effort appears 
to have been then made to increase the navy, for many 
of the northern ports furnished “a new barge” each, 
which vessels were directed to be manned and sent to 
Sandwich by the 16th March, and other barges were 


* Jenkins. 


BURNING OF THE COAST. 


45 


to proceed to Plymouth by that day, to serve in an 
expedition at sea. On the 12th May, 19 masters of 
ships from different ports were summoned to attend 
the King’s council at Westminster for the purpose of 
giving information on maritime affairs. Every vessel 
of 40 tons and upwards in the northern, and 20 or more 
tons in the western or watch ports, were directed on the 
17th July, to rendezvous at Dartmouth and Plymouth 
by the 8th September, to convey the Earl of Cambridge 
and an army to Brittany. In this year, Edward the 
Black Prince died, deeply lamented, at Eichmond. 

1377. —The French landed on several parts of the 
English coast and pillaged and burnt many towns, 
carrying off much booty and many prisoners. Amongst 
towns which suffered, were Plymouth and Dartmouth. 

1378. —About Midsummer, the Duke of Lancaster 
left Southampton with 4,000 men at arms and 8,000 
archers for Xormandy, and finding the Earl of Salisbury 
and Sir John Anmdell at Plymouth waiting for a wind 
to go to Brest for its relief, returned to the Isle of 
Wight, news having arrived that the French fleet had 
sailed. Arundell was sent with some troops to defend 
Southampton. 

1381.—Ships were fitted out and an army raised to 
assist the King of Portugal against Spain, and the com¬ 
mand was given to Earl of Cambridge. The fleet left 
Plymouth and after a boisterous voyage, sailing by the 
wind and stars, arrived at Lisbon. 




46 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


1385.—On the 8th January, ships were impressed 
and sent to Plymouth for an expedition to Portugal, 
and all Portuguese vessels, seamen, and property in 
the western admiralty were soon after ordered to he 
arrested. 

In 1390, Plymouth was constituted a place of legal 
transit for pilgrims for crossing the channel to con¬ 
tinental shrines, and was so favourite a place of resort 
with them, that considerable numbers not unfrequently 
took up their abode in the town and remained for some 
time. 

In 1400, the French fleet having landed through 
contrary winds, destroyed much of the town and com¬ 
mitted great ravages on the property of the inhabitants. 
A gale however springing up, some of their largest 
vessels were destroyed, and the invaders escaped with 
difficulty. 

1402.—“This yere the Lord of Castell in Briteyn, 
landed within a myle of Plymmouth with a great 
companie, and lodged in the towne all that day and 
night, and the next day spoyled and robbed the sayde 
towne, and caryed away all that was therein, and 
returned again into their shippes.*—“Plimouth spoyled 
by the Bretons. The Bretons Amoritees, the Lord of 
Castell being their leader, invaded the towne of Ply¬ 
mouth, spoyled and brent it, and went their way free, 
hut immediately the western navie under the conduct 
of William Wilford, Esq., in the coast of Briton, tooke 
fortie ships laden with yron, oyle, sope, and wine of 


* Grafton’s Chronicle. 






FIRST CHARTER OF INCORPORATION. 


47 


Bochell, to the number of a 1,000 tunne, and in 
returning back again he brent 30 ships, and at Penarch 
the said William arrived with his men, and burned 
townes and lordships, the space of six leagues, and set 
the town of Saint Matthew on fire, and the mills about 
the said towne. From this attack by the Bretons, 
the name of Breton or Briton-side is said to have 
been derived. Soon after this time the inhabitants, 
by virtue of a patent from Henry IV, erected “a 
wall of stone and chalk with towers, fortresses, and 
other defences.” 

1412.—The inhabitants petitioned for a charter of 
incorporation with all necessary powers, but this was 
for a long time opposed by the Prior and Convent of 
Plympton, in whose hands the government of the 
town had hitherto been held. In 1416, Bishop 
Stafford granted an indulgence towards the erection 
of towers and other repairs. 

1439.—In tliis year, a petition was again presented, 
and this time (the Priory of Plympton having pre¬ 
viously agreed to relinquish .the manorial rights, and, 
in return, to receive a yearly rent-charge,) was 
successful. The petition which is extremely curious 
and interesting, as being the first incorporation of the 
borough, is as follows. It is taken from the Polls of 
Parliament of 18 th, Henry VI:— 

u Also a certain other petition was exhibited to the 
same Lord the King in the Parliament aforesaid, by 


* Stowe 





48 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


the aforesaid Commons, for tlie Men of the Town of 
Plymouth, and other persons in the same petition, 
specified in these words:— 

u Prayeth your Poyal Highness, the Commons of your 
whole Bealm of England, in your present Parliament 
assembled, that whereas the town of Sutton Pryor, 
and the tithing of Sutton Baf, and parcel of the hamlet 
of Sutton Yautort, which town, tithing, and parcel 
are commonly called Plymouth, and a certain parcel of 
the tithing of Compton within the county of Devon, 
are situate so near the shore and sea coasts, and such a 
large and common arrival of ships and vessels, as well 
of enemies as others, is from time to time had in the 
port of the said town, tithing, parcels of the hamlet 
and of the tithing of Compton adjoining; that the 
town, tithing, and parcels aforesaid, have heretofore in 
the times of your famous progenitors been very often 
biunt and destroyed in many parts thereof, by reason 
of a defect of the inclosure or walling of the same. 
And also the inhabitants thereof have been despoiled 
of their goods and chattels by night and by day, and 
many of the same inhabitants have been carried away 
to foreign parts by the said enemies, and have been 
cruelly imprisoned until they have made fines and 
ransoms; and other evils, losses, and great inconveni¬ 
ences have in time past very frequently happened to 
the same town, tithing, and parcels of the hamlet and 
tithing aforesaid, and much greater it is feared, will 
there happen hereafter, unless for the relief, fortification, 
and bettering of the town, tithing, and parcels aforesaid, 
a proper remedy be very speedily provided.—Where- 


FIRST CHARTER OF INCORPORATION. 


49 


upon, the premises being considered, may it please your 
aforesaid Boyal Highness, by the consent and assent of 
the lords, spiritual and temporal, and the Commons of 
your Bealm of England, in this present Parliament 
being, and by authority of the same Parliament for 
the resisting of the malice of your enemies there daily 
arriving, and the safety of the town, tithing, and 
parcels aforesaid, and that the inhabitants thereof, 
when the town, tithing, and parcels aforesaid, shall be 
strengthened, inclosed, and fortified, may the better, 
more quietly, and securely reside and dwell there, to 
ordain and establish, that the town, tithing, and parcels 
aforesaid be hereafter a free Borough Incorporate, of 
one Mayor and one perpetual Commonalty, and be for 
ever called “The Borough of Plymouth;” and that 
the same Mayor and Commonalty be one perpetual 
body in deed and name, and have perpetual success¬ 
ion, and that at all times hereafter they be called 
the “Mayor and Commonalty of the Borough of Ply¬ 
mouth,” and be persons able and capable in the law 
to purchase to themselves their heirs and successors in 
fee and perpetuity, or for term of life or years, or in any 
other estate whatsoever, any lands, tenements, rents, 
reversions, possessions, and hereditaments whatsoever, 
of any persons whomsoever, and that they may have 
a common seal, and by the name of “the Mayor and 
Commonalty of Plymouth” may be able to plead and be 
impleaded in any of the courts whatsoever of you, your 
heirs and successors and others whomsoever, and before 
any judges whomsoever, and in any actions whatsoever. 
And that the borough aforesaid do always consist by 
the metes and bounds underwritten, (that is to say) 


50 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


between the hill called Wynrigge by the bank of 
Sourpool towards the north unto the Great Dyche, 
otherwise called the Grate Diche, and therefrom again 
towards the north to Stoke Damarle fLete, and from 
thence by the shore of the same flete unto Millbrook 
Bridge inclusively, and from thence towards the east 
by the middle ditch of Houndescome unto Houndescome 
Bridge inclusively, and therefrom unto Thornhill Park 
exclusively, and from thence unto Lypston Bridge 
inclusively, and therefrom by the sea shore in con¬ 
tinuation unto the Bare to the caae of Ilyngstone, 
Fishtorre, and Eastking, and from thence unto the said 
hill of Wynrigge, as the metes and bounds on all sides 
erected and fixed more fully and openly shew. 

“ And that the aforesaid Mayor and Commonalty and 
their successors may have and hold the same borough tc 
them, their heirs and successors aforesaid of you, your 
heirs and successors at fee farm, rendering therefore 
yearly forty shillings at the exchequer of you and your 
heirs, at the terms of Easter and St. Michael equally. 
And that the aforesaid Mayor and Commonalty, their 
heirs and successors may have authority to strengthen 
the borough aforesaid, and to inclose and incompass the 
same with stone walls, and to make anew and build 
towers in the same walls for the fortification and 
defence of the same borough, and also the same walls 
and towers lawfully and without punishment to fortify 
and embattle. And that it may please your Boyal 
Majesty to create and appoint William Ivetrich, one of 
the more honest and discreet men now dwelling within 
the metes and bounds aforesaid, to be Mayor of the 


FIRST CHARTER OF INCORPORATION. 


51 


borough aforesaid, who may continue to be Mayor of 
the borough aforesaid until the Feast of Saint Michael 
next coming, well and faithfully to rule and govern the 
same borough. And further may it please your afore¬ 
said Royal Highness of your special grace by authority 
of the Parliament aforesaid, graciously to grant to the 
aforesaid Mayor and Commonalty, that every year on 
the Feast of Saint Lambert, Martyr and Bishop, they 
may elect a certain person out of themselves, who, 
according to their sound discretions, shall be the more 
fit and discreet, to be the Mayor of the same borough 
for one whole year, for the good and wholesome govern¬ 
ment of the same borough. And that on the Feast of 
Saint Michael then next following, they may appoint 
him to be Mayor of the same borough. And if the 
aforesaid William, by you created and appointed to be 
Mayor of the borough aforesaid, shall die before the 
Feast of Saint Michael now next coming, or if either 
his successors the future Mayors of the same borough, 
during his office of mayoralty shall die or unjustly 
or improperly rule and govern the same borough, for 
which the said Commonalty, for the utility of the same 
borough or of the republic, shall deem him worthy 
to be amoved from the same office, then the same 
Commonalty may have power to amove the said Mayor 
so offending from the office of Mayor, and another fit 
person out of themselves in the place of the Mayor so 
dying or offending, to elect to the same office, and 
appoint to be Mayor, and so as often as any Mayor of 
the borough aforesaid shall die, or shall unjustly or 
improperly rule or govern the same borough as afore¬ 
said. And that such Mayor so anew elected and 


52 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


appointed, be Mayor of the same borough until the 
Feast of Saint Michael then next following, unless he 
shall act in like manner in the said office, for which he 
shall be worthy to be amoved from the same office. 
And that every one by the said Commonalty, hereafter 
to be elected to the said office of Mayor of the borough 
aforesaid and by the said Commonalty, on the Feast of 
Saint Michael, to be appointed Mayor of the said borough 
before he take upon himself the office of the said mayor¬ 
alty, shall in the Guildhall of the borough aforesaid, take 
his Corporal Oath before the Commonalty thereof, and 
also before the Prior of Plympton for the time being, or 
in his absence, before the steward of his lands or house¬ 
hold, if the same Prior or steward aforesaid will to be 
there present on the same Feast of Saint Michael, before 
the hour of Eleven of the same Feast Day, but otherwise 
before the said Commonalty only, the presence of the 
said Prior or his steward for that turn not being further 
expected, well, faithfully, and indifferently to rule and 
govern the same borough. And also all and singular 
the articles, rents, and appointments in the present 
petition contained and specified, touching the Prior 
and Convent of Plympton, duly to observe, pay, and 
fulfil, whilst he shall so remain in the office of such 
mayoralty. And that every one in form aforesaid, to 
be appointed Mayor of the borough aforesaid, after the 
death or amotion of any Mayor thereof, shall before he 
take upon himself such office of mayoralty, take the 
like Corporal Oath as abovesaid, in the presence, place, 
form, and order, above limited, on a day which the 
Commonalty of the said borough shall then limit for 
that purpose, due warning being given to the Prior of 


FIRST CHARTER OF INCORPORATION. 


53 


Plympton, for the time being, at his Priory or to the 
Convent of the same Priory, in the absence of the said 
Prior, by the space of three days before the day so 
limited. And that the same Mayor and Commonalty, 
their heirs and successors, for the public good of the 
borough aforesaid, may have power from time to time, 
to make and create burgesses of the same borough as 
often as they shall please, by authority of the Parlia¬ 
ment aforesaid. 

u And that the same Mayor and Commonalty may 
have and hold to them, their heirs and successors, by 
authority of this Parliament, all manner of lands, 
tenements, rents, services, the mills called the Surpool 
Mills, possessions, fairs, feasts, markets, courts, fran¬ 
chises, liberties, views of frankpledge, privileges, and 
other the temporal and secular profits and emoluments, 
which were, and now are belonging to the aforesaid 
Prior and Convent, as in right of their aforesaid 
church, within the limits, metes, and bounds aforesaid, 
and within the said Borough of Plymouth. Saving 
always and except- and reserved to the aforesaid Prior 
and Convent and their successors, three messuages 
and three gardens to the same messuages adjoining, 
with their appurtenances, situate in the Borough of 
Plymouth aforesaid, one of which messuages is situate 
between a tenement of John Jaybien on the east side, 
and a tenement of John Snellying on the west, and 
land of the heirs of Eoger Goold, and land of the 
aforesaid John Jaybien on the south, and the high¬ 
way called Bilbury-street on the north; and another 
tenement lies between a messuage of Thomas Piers on 


54 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


tlie east, and a tenement of William Myleton on the 
west, and a garden of William Venour on the north, 
and the highway called Note-street on the south; and 
the third messuage is situate between a tenement of 
Vincent Ilagge on the east, and the toft, late of John 
Piers on the west, and a tenement of Walter Wliiteleigh 
on the north, and the highway called Stillman-street 
on the south.—Saving also and except and reserved 
to the same Prior and Convent, and their successors 
for ever as well, the advowson of the Church of Ply¬ 
mouth formerly called Sutton, which church they have 
and hold to their own use, as well the advowson of the 
vicarage of the same church, and the tythes, oblations, 
obventions, emoluments, things, rights, and profits 
whatsoever, to the same Church of Plymouth, in any 
manner whatsoever, belonging or appertaining. And 
that the aforesaid three messuages may be for ever, 
without the franchise, liberty, and jurisdiction of the 
said Mayor and Commonalty, and of the said Borough 
of Plymouth, and not parcels thereof. 

“And that the said Prior and Convent and their 
successors, and their tenants of the messuages afore¬ 
said, be in nowise hereafter chargeable, charged, nor 
taxed to any burden, payment, exaction, or imposition 
whatsoever, with the burgesses and inhabitants in the 
said Borough of Plymouth, but from the payment, 
exaction, or imposition of any burden by the said 
burgesses and inhabitants to be paid or borne, that 
they may be quit and discharged for ever. Saving 
also to the said Prior and Convent and their successors, 
the island called Saint Nicholas Island, and all their 



FIRST CHARTER OF INCORPORATION. 


55 


lands, tenements, and possessions, being within the 
parish of Maker, with all the appurtenances and com¬ 
modities to the same belonging, and the profits and 
advantages whatsoever upon any of them hereafter 
happening or arising, of which island, lands, tenements, 
possessions, profits, and commodities, the aforesaid 
Mayor and Commonalty and their successors, or 
either of them, may in nowise intrude themselves. 
Provided always that if any felon or traitor shall 
fly into any place within the said three messuages and 
gardens, or shall remain there, that then it shall be 
lawful to the aforesaid Mayor and his servants and 
ministers of the said Borough of Plymouth, for the 
time being, to enter into the same messuages and 
gardens, and him, so to any place within the same 
messuages and gardens for the cause aforesaid flying, 
or there for the same cause remaining, to take, arrest, 
and to your Gaol, in the county aforesaid, to lead and 
carry. Provided also and ordained that the said Prior 
and Convent and their successors, and the ministers, 
servants, officers, and families of the said Prior and 
Convent, and of the same Prior and his successors, 
may freely come to the said Borough of Plymouth, and 
to every place within the metes, liberties, and jurisdic¬ 
tion thereof, with their waggons, carts, horse-loads, 
and carriages whatsoever, and with all the goods, 
chattels, victuals, and merchandizes of the aforesaid 
Prior and his successors, and of the servants, officers, 
ministers, and families of them and their successors, 
for the time being, and there sell their goods and 
chattels whatsoever, and buy other goods, chattels, 
and merchandizes there without any toll, custom, 


5G 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


picage, panage, portage, murage, stallage, and other 
charges, exactions, impositions, and demands what¬ 
soever, to the same Mayor and Commonalty or their 
successors, to be paid for any cause whatsoever, now 
being imposed or hereafter to be imposed, or by you 
or your heirs to be hereafter granted.—And that the 
same Prior and Convent and their successors and the 
ministers, families, officers, and servants of them and 
their successors, may be quit and discharged for 
ever within the said borough, and the precinct and 
jurisdiction thereof of the aforesaid tolls, exactions, 
and demands whatsoever to the same Mayor and 
Commonalty and their successors, and to the ministers 
of the same payable.—Provided also and ordained 
that neither the aforesaid Prior and Convent, nor 
their successors, nor their families, servants, officers, 
and men for the time being, shall in anywise for any 
cause whatsoever, be impleaded before the Mayor of 
the said Borough of Plymouth, nor his successors, nor 
before any ministers of the said Mayor and Common¬ 
alty and their successors, nor shall be attached or 
imprisoned by their bodies, or distrained or attached 
by their goods and chattels, by any ministers of the 
same Mayor and Commonalty or their successors, to 
answer any of your people, by virtue of any plaints, 
bills, matters, or causes affirmed or prosecuted, or to be 
affirmed before the same Mayor and his successors, or 
the ministers whomsoever, for the time being, of the 
said Mayor and Commonalty, nor by virtue of any 
presentments or indictments taken before the same 
Mayor and his successors, or before any officers, 
stewards, or bailiffs of the said Mayor and Commonalty 



FIRST CHARTER OF INCORPORATION. 


57 


and their successors, in any courts, views of frank¬ 
pledge or hundreds held, or to be held within the 
borough aforesaid, but that from all jurisdiction, power, 
arrest, and coercion of the same Mayor and Common¬ 
alty and their successors, they be altogether exonerated, 
quit, and exempt for ever. And that neither the said 
Prior and Convent, nor their successors, nor their 
families, servants, officers, and ministers, nor their 
men, or the tenants of the aforesaid three messuages, 
for the time being, may in anywise howsoever be 
distrained or compelled to do any suit at any courts, 
to be held before the said Mayor and his successors, or 
their ministers,' within the borough aforesaid, nor at 
any views of frankpledge or hundreds, within the 
same borough. And if before the same Mayor and 
his successors, or any of the ministers of the same 
Mayor and Commonalty and their successors, for the 
time being, anything to the contrary of this ordination 
shall be done, proceeded or attempted against the 
aforesaid Prior and Convent or his successors, or them 
families, servants, officers, ministers, or men, or against 
the tenants of the aforesaid three messuages, for the time 
being, that then the process thereof shall in law be 
nought, and held as a process made coram non judice. 
And that the said Prior and Convent and their successors 
and their families, servants, officers, ministers, and their 
men, for the time being, may implead the said Mayor 
and Commonalty and their successors and the burgesses 
whomsoever of the borough aforesaid, for the time 
being, and other persons whomsoever, before you and 
your heirs, and in any of the courts whatever of you 
and vour heirs, for any matter or cause whatsoever 


58 


HISTOllY OF PLYMOUTH. 


arising within the said borough, any franchise, liberty, 
and jurisdiction, by you or your heirs hereafter to he 
granted to the same Mayor and Commonalty or their 
successors notwithstanding. And further by the author¬ 
ity aforesaid, that it he ordained and established that 
the said Mayor and Commonalty and their successors 
for ever, shall render and pay to the said Prior and 
Convent and their successors in the Priory aforesaid, 
yearly from the Feast of Saint Michael the Archangel 
last past, £41 at four terms of the year, (that is to say) 
at the Feasts of the Nativity of the Lord, Easter, the 
Nativity of Saint John the Baptist, and Saint Michael 
the Archangel, by equal portions, and if the same rent 
of £41, or any part thereof, shall he in arrear and 
unpaid to the aforesaid Prior and Convent or their 
successors, by the space of fifteen days after either of 
the terms of payment abovesaid, then it shall he lawful 
to the same Prior and Convent and their successors and 
their ministers, to distrain in the said Borough of Ply¬ 
mouth, and in the name of a distress, to take all the 
goods and chattels of the said Mayor and Commonalty 
and of the burgesses whomsoever of the same borough, 
and others therein residing and dwelling, found within 
the same borough, and the precinct thereof, and every 
part of the said goods and chattels whatsoever, and 
the distress so taken therefrom, to carry away, lead 
away, and impound, and retain in any place where¬ 
soever they shall please, until of the rent so being in 
arrear, they shall be fully satisfied. And if it shall 
happen that the said rent or any part thereof shall be 
in arrear and unpaid by the space of six weeks, after 
either of the terms of payment abovesaid, or if the 


FIRST CHARTER OF INCORPORATION. 


59 


same Mayor and Commonalty, or any burgess of the 
borough aforesaid, or any other persons there residing 
and dwelling shall replevy any distress taken for the 
rent aforesaid, so being in arrear, or shall rescue the 
same, that then the same Mayor and Commonalty and 
them successors, shall pay and render to the aforesaid 
Prior and Convent and their successors 100 , 9 ., in the 
name of a penalty, to be received as often as it shall 
happen that the said rent, or any part thereof shall be 
in arrear and unpaid by such space of six weeks, or 
the distresses so taken in form as aforesaid, shall be 
replevied or rescued. 

“And if it shall happen that the said rent or any 
part thereof shall be in arrear and unpaid by the space 
of one quarter of a year, after either of the terms of 
payment abovesaid, that then the same Mayor and 
Commonalty and their successors, shall pay to the 
aforesaid Prior and Convent and their successors £10 
in the name of a penalty, to be paid to them as often 
as it shall happen that the same rent or any part 
thereof shall be in arrear and unpaid by such quarter 
of a year, after either of the terms of payment above- 
said. And that it shall be lawful to the same Prior 
and Convent and their successors, to distrain within 
the same borough, and the precinct thereof in form 
abovesaid, as well for the said rent so being in arrear, 
as for the aforesaid 100s, and also for the aforesaid 
£10, payable in the name of a penalty in form above- 
said. And if it shall happen that the said rent, or any 
part thereof, shall be in arrear and unpaid by the space 
of one whole year, after either the terms of payment 


60 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


abovesaid, that then the same Mayor and Commonalty 
and their successors, shall pay and render yearly for 
ever to the said Prior and Convent and their successors 
in the Priory aforesaid, at the terms abovesaid, £20 
beyond the said yearly rent of £41, and so in the 
whole £61, yearly for ever to be then paid. And if it 
shall happen that the same rent of £61, or any part 
thereof shall be in arrear and unpaid in form aforesaid, 
by the space of six weeks, after either of the terms of 
payment thereof, that then the same Mayor and Com¬ 
monalty, their heirs and successors shall pay to the 
same Prior and Convent and their successors 100s., in 
the name of a penalty, to be had and received by the 
same Prior and Convent and their successors, as often 
as it shall happen that any part of the said rent of £61 
shall be in arrear and unpaid by such space of six 
weeks. And that it shall be lawful to the same Prior 
and Convent, and their successors to distrain in form 
aforesaid, within the borough aforesaid, and the pre¬ 
cinct thereof for the rent so being in arrear, and for 
the said 100s. payable in the name of a penalty. And 
futher that it may be ordained and established by the 
authority aforesaid, that the said Prior and Convent 
and their successors may enjoy, have, and obtain all the 
aforesaid rents and penalties in form aforesaid, to them 
and their successors in manner aforesaid, granted 
according to the manner, form, and condition above 
expressed, any statutes or ordinances to the contrary, 
made in anywise notwithstanding. And that by the 
same authority the writ of fierifacias of you and your 
heirs, at the prosecution of the said Prior and his 
successors, may issue out of the exchequer of you 


FIRST CHARTER OF INCORPORATION. 


61 


and your heirs, as often as to the same Prior and his 
successors, it shall seem expedient and fitting, to he 
directed to the Sheriff of Devon for the time being, 
commanding the same sheriff that he omit not by 
reason of any liberty, hut that the same sheriff cause 
to be made and levied of the lands and chattels of the 
same Mayor and Commonalty, and of every burgess of 
the said borough, and others whomsoever residing 
and dwelling within the same borough, the monies 
which of the rents or penalties aforesaid, shall here¬ 
after happen to he in arrear, and the same monies shall 
deliver to the aforesaid Prior for the time being, unless 
the same Mayor and Commonalty and their successors, 
shall show to the same sheriff sufficient acquittances, 
under the seal of the same Prior, of the payment of the 
said monies so supposed to he in arrear. And although 
it may hereafter happen for any cause whatsoever 
arising, that the said Borough of Plymouth, or the said 
franchises, liberties, or possessions of the said Mayor 
and Commonalty or their successors or any part thereof, 
shall be taken or seised into the hands of you or your 
heirs, that notwithstanding such caption and seisin, 
such rents and penalties, in the form and condition 
aforesaid, be well and truly paid to the said Prior and 
Convent and their successors, at the terms and place 
aforesaid. Provided always that all the men and tenants 
of the said Prior and Convent and their successors, 
for the time being, may. fully buy or sell within the 
said Borough of Plymouth and the precinct thereof, all 
and all manner of goods, chattels, wares, and merchan¬ 
dizes to their own proper use, without toll, custom, 
picage, panage, stallage, and murage, and that from 


62 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


all such exaction, imposition, and disquiet, in form 
aforesaid, they may be quit and discharged for ever. 

“And moreover, whereas the Abbot of Buckland, 
in the county of Devon aforesaid, was seised in his 
demesne as of fee, and in right of his Church of 
the Blessed Mary of Buckland, of the Hundred of 
Boborough, with the appurtenances, within which 
Hundred, the aforesaid town of Sutton Prior, tithing 
of Sutton Baf, parcel of the hamlet and tithing of 
Sutton Vautort, and parcel of the tithing of Compton, 
which now make the aforesaid Borough of Plymouth, 
are, and from time whereof the memory of man is 
not to the contrary, were the parcels of the same 
Hundred. How may it please your Boyal Highness, 
by authority of the present Parliament, to grant and 
ordain that from henceforth the aforesaid Mayor and 
Commonalty, may have to themselves their heirs and 
successors for ever, all manner of such rights, liberties, 
franchises, jurisdictions, powers, hereditaments, and 
other profits whatsoever as the aforesaid Abbott hath 
or ought to have, within the precinct of the borough 
aforesaid, in any manner whatsoever, as in right of 
his church aforesaid. And that the aforesaid Mayor 
and Commonalty may have to themselves, their heirs 
and successors, then- court to be held before the same 
Mayor in the Guildhall of the said borough, once 
in every month, where the same Mayor will appoint 
the same, and that in the same court all defaults, 
excesses, trespasses, articles, views of frankpledge, and 
all other things, which within the precinct of the said 
borough, may hereafter happen and be done, and which 


FIRST CHARTER OF INCORPORATION. 


ft o 
(JO 


in any courts of the aforesaid Abbott, to be held 
within the Hundred aforesaid, ought to have been 
presented, amended, corrected, or punished in the court 
aforesaid, if the authority of the present Parliament 
had not existed, may hereafter be presented, amended, 
corrected, and punished before the said Mayor as 
aforesaid, in the like manner, and by the same ways, 
methods, and terms, as in the aforesaid court of the 
aforesaid Abbott, they ought, or have been accustomed 
to be presented, amended, corrected, and punished. 
And that all those, who by reason of their lands, tene¬ 
ments, or possessions, being within the precinct of the 
said borough, or by reason of their residence within the 
same precinct, have been bound to do, render, pay, or 
present, suit, service, payment, rent, certain or any 
other advantage whatsoever, to any of the aforesaid 
courts of the Abbott aforesaid, may hereafter for ever, 
do, render, pay, and present the same suit, service, 
payment, rent, and advantage to the aforesaid courts of 
the aforesaid Mayor and Commonalty and their heirs 
and successors. Saving always and reserved to the 
aforesaid Abbott and his successors, by the authority 
aforesaid, all their rights, franchises, liberties, com¬ 
modities, jurisdictions, powers, hereditaments, and 
profits whatsoever in all the residue of his aforesaid 
hundred, being without the precinct of the borough 
aforesaid, as the same Abbott hath heretofore had, and 
ought to have the same. And may it please your 
Highness, by the authority aforesaid, to ordain that 
the aforesaid Mayor and Commonalty, their heirs and 
successors for ever, render and pay to William, Prior 
of Bath, and his successors at Bath, in the county of 


64 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


Somerset, ten marks yearly, at the Feast of Easter 
and St. Michael the Archangel, by equal portions. 
And if it shall happen that the same annual marks, or 
any part therof shall hereafter be in arrear, at either 
of the feasts aforesaid, that then it may be lawful to the 
same Prior of Bath and his successors, upon the whole 
of the borough aforesaid, by all the goods and chattels 
therein found, to distrain, and the distresses so 
taken, to carry and lead away wheresoever they shall 
please, and the same in their possession to retain until 
of all the arrearages of the aforesaid ten annual marks, 
together with all their cost and charges, which they 
shall have sustained by occasion of the non-payment 
thereof, they shall be fully satisfied. And that the 
same Prior and his successors, may have writs of 
fierifacias out of the exchequer of you and your heirs, 
directed to the Sheriff of Devon, and sufficient in law 
to levy of the lands and chattels of all the inhabitants 
of the said borough, all the monies which of the afore¬ 
said ten annual marks shall hereafter happen to be in 
arrear, as often to the now Prior or his successors, it 
shall seem expedient or fitting. And whereas the 
aforesaid Prior of Bath, is now seised as of fee, and in 
right of his Church of the Apostles Peter and Paul of 
Bath, of the advowson of the Parish Church of Baunton 
in the county of Devon; that it be ordained by the 
authority of the present Parliament, that the aforesaid 
Abbott of the Church of the Blessed Mary of Buckland, 
may from henceforth have that advowson to him and his 
successors for ever. And that by the same authority 
it may be lawful to him and his successors, to appro¬ 
priate the same church to themselves, and the same to 


FIRST CHARTER OF INCORPORATION. 


05 


their own use, to hold to them and their successors for 
ever, any statutes passed to the contrary, or that the 
aforesaid Priory of Bath, is of the foundation of your 
progenitors, or of your patronage in anywise notwith¬ 
standing. Saying always to the Prior of Bath and his 
successors, all his pensions and annuities, due out of 
the said Church of B aunt on or the rectory thereof. 
And that the aforesaid Abbott and his successors, 
servants, officers, family, tenants, and ministers of 
the same Abbott and his successors, may hereafter 
be exonerated and quit for ever of tolls, customs, 
picages, panages, portages, poutages, murages, and the 
charges, exactions, and demands whatsoever, to the 
aforesaid Mayor and Commonalty and their successors, 
hereafter payable for any merchandizes, victuals, or 
other things whatsoever, by the aforesaid Abbott and his 
successors, servants, officers, family, tenants, and the 
ministers of the same Abbott and his successors, within 
the borough aforesaid, and the liberty thereof, hereafter 
to be bought, sold, or in anywise provided any grants 
thereof, to the aforesaid Mayor and Commonalty, by 
you or your heirs, hereafter to be granted notwithstand¬ 
ing. Saving always and reserved to you, your heirs and 
successors, all your possessions, liberties, franchises, 
jurisdictions, courts, profits, hereditaments, escheats, 
forfeitures, and rights, and to all the liege subjects of 
you and your heirs, all their possessions, liberties, 
franchises, jurisdictions, courts, profits, hereditaments, 
forfeitures, escheats, and rights whatsoever, which in 
the present Act to the aforesaid Mayor and Common¬ 
alty, or to the other persons aforesaid in the same Act 
named, are not above specially and expressly granted.” 


D 


66 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


“And which petition in the Parliament aforesaid, 
being read, heard, and fully understood, the same 
petition, by the advice and assent aforesaid, was thus 
answered:— 

“ The Kyng will that it be as desired by this petition, 
provided alway that this present Act and Ordinance 
extende hem noght to the Manoir of Tremaiton, the 
Burgh of Saltayssh, to the Water of Tamer, nor to 
non other possessions, franchises, liberties, waters, fish- 
ynges, rentys, services, courtes, jurisdictions, offices, 
enlieritances, forfaites, eschetes, other than other issues, 
profites, or compiodites, the which Sir John Cornewaill, 
Lorde of Fannhope holdyth terme of his lyve, the 
reversion thereof to the King belonging.” 

When the inhabitants had thus succeeded in obtain¬ 
ing the royal licence and an Act of Parliament 
“which constituted them a Corporation, by the style 
of the Mayor and Commonalty of the Borough of 
Plymouth, the Prior and Convent, animated with a 
proper feeling, addressed a petition to Bishop Lacy, 
representing that it would be advantageous and com¬ 
modious to convey to this municipal body, certain lands, 
tenements, franchises, fairs, markets, mills, rents, and 
services, which they had possessed therein, from time 
immemorial, and praying his consent to dispose of the 
same. On January 3rd, following, as bishop and 
patron, he directed a commission to the Archdeacon 
of Totnes, or his official, to hold an inquisition, and 
to report to him the verdict of the jury, whicli was 
done as is seen in their certificate, which states that 
the commission had been received on the day after its 



FIRST MAYOR OF PLYMOUTH. 


n l-r 


0 / 


date, that on January 7th, the othcial, in the absence 
of the Archdeacon, held a public inquisition in the 
nave of the conventual church—the gates of the Priory 
and the folding doors of the church being thrown 
wide open for all comers to enter; that the jury, being 
sworn, found that the premises of the Priory, within 
Sutton Prior, had in part been burnt by a hostile 
descent from Brittany; that the yearly rental of the 
lands and tenements there was £8; of the courts, fairs, 
and markets 60-5*. ; and the clear profit from the mills, 
something more than 0 yearly; that the offer by 
the Mayor and Corporation of the yearly fixed pension 
of <£41, for the premises aforesaid, was deemed by the 
Prior and Convent, a satisfactory compensation, and 
that they were willing to except the same, and the 
jury concurred in recommending such alienation and 
sale, as being advantageous to the Priory. The fee- 
farm rent of £41, was in 1463 reduced to £29 65*. 8A, 
in consequence of the poverty of the town, ( Corporation 
Records) and in 25 Henry VIII, 1533, was wholly 
discharged by Act of Parliament, and the parsonages 
of Ugborough and Blackawton, appropriated to the 
Prior and his successors in lieu thereof.” 

1439.—William Ketrich, u one of the more honest 
and discreet men now dwelling within ” the proposed 
boundaries, was the first Mayor of Plymouth, being 
appointed to that office by the King, in accordance 
with the petition just given. He is said to have been 
a Yorkshireman. “He was a little squat man, remark¬ 
able for shooting with the strong-bow, and one of the 
greatest satires of the time. He gave at the feast of 




68 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


his mayoralty, a pye composed of all sorts of fish, 
flesh, and fowl, that could be gotten. It was 14 feet 
long, and 4 feet broad, and an oven was built on 
purpose for its baking.” This circumstance gave rise 
to the saying—“as big as Ketherich’s pie.” 

1440. —Walter Clovelly, Mayor. “ Clovelly was 
nicknamed goafs face , for his extreme long beard, 
which he made a vow should never be cut or shaven, 
after the death of his wife. An instance of conjugal 
affection too rare to be met with in this depraved age.” 

“The tower of Saint Andrew’s Church was built this 
year, at the expense of Mr. Thomas Yogge, a merchant 
of the town.” 

1441. —William Pollard, Mayor. “According to the 
prevailing humour of those days, he was conceitedly 
nicknamed, being commonly called pull hard , from his 
uncommon power and mastership in archery, few men 
being able to bend his bow, or to send an arrow within 
threescore paces of that distance, which he could, with 
ease, command.” 

1442. —John Shepley or Shipley, Mayor. “lie 
was a man of exemplary character and great piety, by 
the anagrammatists of the age, called shccplg ) for his 
gentle and saint-like qualities. He was wont (says an 
ancient manuscript) to be likened unto King Harry; 
for that in mildnesse and meaknesse of heart, he had 
no compeere, saving his royalle and gracious master.” 
“In this year, the King of Sicily’s daughter was brought 
to Plymouth, and afterwards married to King Henry.” 




WORSHIP FACET. 


G9 


1443 and 1444.—William Nicholas or Nycoles, 
Mayor. “He artfully detected a vile imposter, who 
pretended to be dumb, and that by no other means 
than seeming to pity him, and asking “how long he 
had been speechless?” to which the fellow unguardedly 
made answer “ that he was born so ! ” 

1445. —John Shepley, Mayor. The same who held 
the office in 1442. 

1446. —John Facey, Mayor. Of this mayor it is 
recorded that “he struck the Town Clerk, as he sat 
upon the Bench, for addressing him without giving 
him his title of 4 Worship,’ for which he was fain to 
compound with a good round sum; and he was called 
4 Worship Facey’ ever after. Ho was remarkably 
cholerick, and would run the whole length of a street 
after the whorson boys as he called them, who took 
delight in flouting him as he passed.” 

1447. —John Carwinnick, Mayor. 44 Of whom we have 
no private memoir, but that he was a worthy magis¬ 
trate. In this year the Queen struck her aunt, the 
Duchess of Gloster, a box on the ear at court, and a 
little while after, the said duchess did penance, walk¬ 
ing barefoot through the street, with a lighted taper in 
her hands, for sorcery.” 

1448. —John Facey again Mayor. When elected to 
the office for the second time, 44 he said they might as 
well have continued him the whole three years, and that 
would have saved the trouble of choosing him again.” 



70 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


1449.—John Paige, Mayor. “A man very strict 
in his office, insomuch that the least violation of the 
laws, as far as came within his jurisdiction, was 
punished with much rigour; he was a great devotee, 
never missed mattin or vesper, and took singular 
notice of those who absented from the mass on a 
Sunday. lie had a rosary constantly in his pocket, and 
wore a silver crucifix continually beneath his band as 
a common appendage to his dress.” The Duke of 
Clarence was this year at Plymouth. 

1450 and 1451.—Stephen Chapman or Chepeman, 
Mayor. “He was a very rich man, and a lover of 
gain; of very mean origin, but most fortunate, and 
regarded as the wealthiest trafficker of his days. He 

o j 

was however a just magistrate.” 

1452.—Thomas Greyle or Gryll or Negle, Mayor. 
“A man of a merry heart, and a great lover of good 
cheer. A gallant man in his house, and goodly train, 
with good means for support thereof. He delighted 
in feasting his neighbours, and did much good to the 
poor.” The King was this year at Exeter. 

1452.—“The names of the xii psons that alwayes 
be of the Pvy Councell and Chyfte Men of the 
Burghe and Town of Plymouthe:— 

Andrew Hillersdon, Esq., Recorder. 


William Pan dell. 





THE TWELVE AND TWENTY - FOUR. 


71 


Thomas Gubb. 
Johes Gygporte. 
Johes Elyott. 
Thomas Cyrte. 


J acobus TIorswell. 
Wyllms Hawkyns. 
Thomas Clouter. 
Eobtus Dyghton. 
Johes Pers 
Thomas Mills. 


Henricus Ilarvey 
Lucas Cok. 


1 ‘ The names of the xxiv Purgesses that be sworne to 
the Comon Councell within the Burghe of Plymouthe:— 


John Thomas. 
Rickard Lybbe. 
Henry Martyn. 
Robert Hampton. 
Richard Guscott. 
Thomas Browne. 
John Brokyng. 
John Towsson. 
Wyllm Aysslegg. 
John Mone. 


Thomas Holwaye. 
Robert Carswell. 
John Tasse. 


Wyllm Buller. 
Wyllm Wyk. 

Jolin Body. 

John Wyle. 

Wyllm Eggecomb. 
Stephen Burdon. 
Wyllm Gibbons. 
John Cross. 
Richard Caunder.” 


Kinsman. 


John Rolle. 


1453 and 1454.—Vincent Patilysden, Mayor. 

1455.—James Dernford or Samuel Horniforde, 
Mayor. u This poor gentleman was taken in a fit 
at church, on the first day of his mayoralty. He 
however made shift to eat a fine Michselmas goose 
afterwards at dinner, with this declaration, that he 
thought his illness at mass had given him a passing 
good stomach.” 








72 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


1456. —Vincent Patilysden again Mayor. u He 
first setting the example, the alderman and burgesses 
did wear, every Sunday, red roses in their hats as they 
went to church, to shew their loyalty to King Harry; 
but which, as they saw the York faction arising, they 
afterwards did prudently decline.” 

1457. —John Carnynnick, Mayor. “The mayor 
appeareth at church, with laced bonnet and buckles 
in his shoes.” The French this year attacked Fowey, 
as they had done several times previously. The wife 
of Thomas Treffry gallantly repulsed them from her 
residence, Place House. 

1458. —Thomas Gre}de, (also called Tregell) again 
Mayor. “ He gave a most noble feast at his in-swear¬ 
ing, at which he was honored with the presence of 
several noble lords, knights, and ladies. A joust or 
tournament was held upon the Hoe. A pavilion was 
built at the mayor's expence, so large as to hold 400 
people, and liquor given to the populace, so that it 
was for the time, a kind of jubilee.” 

1459. —William Yogge, Mayor. “A close thrifty 
man, proud of no exterior shov r , but much bent on 
amassing wealth. He would bear home his meat from 
the market with his own hand, and if any one told him 
it was unseemly in a man of his substance and a 
magistrate, he would say: ‘T’were a sorry horse that 
would not carry his own provender.’ ” 

1460. —John Pollard, Mayor. “A man of a taciturn 
and reserved bent, much given to silence, and in some 




QUARREL BETWEEN THE MAYOR AND VICAR. 73 


sort, absent from himself, Begarded by some as being 
proud, but only such as knew him not. He was a 
strict honest man, a lover of justice and his word did 
fast bind him. 

1461.—William Yogge again Mayor. About this 
time, a fort was built on each side of the harbour at 
Fowey. 


1462. —John Paige, Mayor. “ This year the mayor 
and the vicar had a great quarrel: the mayor insisted 
that particular prayers should be put up for the success 
of King Henry’s arms against the rebellious Yorkists, 
which the vicar stubbornly refused, yet not unwisely. 
The mayor threatened to complain to the King, and 
the vicar defied him. Yet to shew that loyalty is not 
confined to any party, but him that ruleth; this very 
mayor in the same year, feasteth the Duke of Clarence, 
brother to King Edward IY, right royally, here in 
Plymouth, and drinketh long life and a prosperous 
reign to King Edward IY. 

1463, 1464 and 1465.—John Bowland, Mayor. “A 
man of great interest and sway, and closely attached unto 
the House of York. He was chosen mayor more from 
fear and awe, than reverence and love, which office he 
held successive years, and was mayor again at the end 
of three years after. Sheep sent to Aragon in Spain, 
which increased, and did this nation much hurt.” 

1466.—Bichard Bovey, Mayor. “A plain simple 
man, inoffensive in his manners and easy in his office ; 
somewhat less of the stork than the log. While he 




74 


HISTORY OR PLYMOUTH. 


was mayor, no one found fault with him, and when no 
longer such, nobody missed him. T’will be well (saith 
the writer) if no one of his successors leaveth a worse 
name behind him.” 

1467. —William Yogge, Mayor. 

1468. —John Paige, Mayor. 

1469. —John Rowland, Mayor. By an Act of 
Parliament passed this year, (in which was recited 
the charter of Henry VI,) upon the petition of the 
Prior of Plympton, and Mayor and Commonalty of 
Plymouth, by which it appears that inasmuch as the 
Borough of Plymouth was fallen into poverty and 
decay since the making of the former Act, and there¬ 
fore not able to pay the said rent of £41 to the Prior 
of Plympton; it was ordained that the Mayor of 
Plymouth should pay the Prior of Plympton and his 
successors, hut £29 65 . 8 d. rent yearly at several days, 
with a clause of distress and several new penalties, and 
20 s. more yearly upon Simon and Jude Hay, for the term 
of 41 years, and for non-payment, the Prior to have 
a writ to the sheriff to proclaim the Mayor, his rent- 
gatherers and receivers, to appear in the Court of 
Common Pleas and pay the rent, or he committed to 
the Fleet, hut not to he troubled during the time of 
then* offices, provided that the Mayor and Commonalty 
should have power to punish in any of the said three 
messuages, as in other parts of the said borough. 
Provided also that this Act be not prejudicial to any 
grant formerly made by the said King to the said 
Mayor and Commonalty. 



75 


ROYAL VISIT, ETC. 

1470. —William Yogge, Mayor. The Earl of War¬ 
wick and the Duke of Clarence, brother to Edward IY, 
and the Earls of Pembroke and Oxford, coming out of 
France, landed at Plymouth and dined with the mayor, 
proclaimed King Henry VI at the Guildhall, increased 
their number, and marched to London. 

1471. —William Paige, Mayor. “King Henry let 
loose from the tower, and after six months, King 
Edward returning successfully to London, seizeth him 
again.” 

“ Margaret of Anjou landed at Plymouth with her 
son Edward and a body of auxiliaries, chiefly French, 
on the same day as Warwick was defeated and slain.” 

1472. —Richard Bovey, Mayor. 

1473. —Nicholas Heynstall or Henstock, Mayor. 

1474. —William Paige, Mayor. 

1475 and 1476.—Nicholas Heynstall or Henstock 
again Mayor. 

1477. —John Pollard again Mayor. 

1478. —Nicholas Heynstall or Henstock, fourth 
time Mayor. 

1479. —William Rogers, Mayor. 

1480. —Thomas Gregorthead or Graygorthand or 
Tregarthea, Mayor. 

1481 . —Thomas Greswell, Grissell or Tresawell, 
Mayor. 










HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 



1482. —Nicholas Heynstall or Henstock again Mayor. 

1483. —Thomas Grey son, Mayor. 

1484. —Pearse Craswell or Creswell, Mayor. 

1485. —Thomas Tresawell, Mayor. “A sweating 
sickness began, and raged in England (at first, though 
afterwards it went beyond sea,) under the name of 
Sudor Anglicus , which reached Plymouth.” 

1487. —Nicholas Heynstall or Henstock, Mayor. 

1488. —Perrin Earle, Mayor. 

1489. —Thomas Greyson again Mayor. 

1490. —Nicholas Heynstall again Mayor. 

1491. —John Painter, Mayor. 

1492 and 1493.—William Thickpenny, Mayor. The 
Guild in the following curious document, relating to 
the establishment of Church Ales on Corpus Christi 
Hay, “ seems to have been instituted in compliance 
with the power given to the Mayor and Commonalty 
by the charter, 9 th July, 18 Henry VI”:— 

“ For the honor of God and for thencressing of the 
benefittes of the Church of Seynt Andrewe, of Ply¬ 
mouth, it is agreed by the Mayre XII and XXIIII, 
sworne to the Councell of the Burghe of Plymouthe, 
that in the Feast of Corporis Christi, every warde of the 
said burghe shall from hensforthe, this the Xth day .of 
June, make an hale yn the Parisshe Churche Yarde of 
Seynt Andrewe aforesaid. And every person of the 
said warde to bring with theym, except brede and 
drinke, such vytayle as the like best, and have there 
suche, and as many persons estraungers, as they thinke 









CHURCH ALES. 


77 


best of theyr fronds and aqnaynted men and women 
for thencressing of the said ale; paing for brede and 
ale as it cometli thereto in rckening for their dyners 
and sopers the same day, etc. 

u Item .—It is agreed that every taverne of wyne 
and ale within the said burghe, to forbere theyr sale 
the same day, of theyr wyne and ale, for the wele of 
the said churche. Every person of the XII, upon 
payne of Vis. VIII d., and every of the XXIIII, 
Ills. IIIIc/., and every of the coiers, one pound of 
waxe or the value of the same, to the said cliurclie’s 
bclioufe. And he or they doing the contrary, at the 
Mayer XII and XXIIII, is wylle to stonde in jupardyc 
of his fredome, and to paye the said fyne, and every 
fyne or fynes or forfayte to be levycd by the Mayer, 
for the tyme being, within IIII days after the said 
feaste. And in his defaute to be levyed of his fee, 
and upon the audeyte thereof. 

“ Item .—The Mayre for the tyme being, allways in 
his owne warde, in the hale so made for him and his 
warde, etc., etc. 

u Item .—That the XII and the XXIIII, aide and 
helpe the Mayre to levy the said paynes, forfayte at 
every yere and tyme thereto called. 

u Item .—That no person that shall goe about with 
the Shipp of Corpus Christi, bring no body there but 
him selfe to charge the Yle, (ale). 

“ Item .—That they make a rekening to every person 
for mete and drinke, and notte to pay at their leasure. 

“ Item •—That every ale from hensfortlie, for the 
welthe of the churche in tyme comyng be accompt- 
abyll afore the Mayer the XII and the XXIIII, in the 







HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


i— q 

i O 

Gyldehall of the burgh aforesaid, and the debet of every 
of theym to be sett in the ligger of the said towne 
entred. And the said debet to be atte the Mayor XII 
and XXIIII, is disposition in every yere and tyme, for 
the welthe of the said chnrche. 

u Item .—That every freman is name be in tyme 
coming, entred in the said ligger. 

“ Item .—That Alion borne outeward, be not freman 
in tyme coming, excepte the persons of Xonnandy, 
Gascon, Gy on, Irlond, Caleys, Berwyke, and the 
borders of the same being Englisslie. 

“ Item .—That all manner of wardeyns in tyme to 
come take their othe afore the Mayre in the Gyldeliall, 
truly to doe their office. 

“ Item .—That this and all other articles contayned 
in the said ligger to be alhvays parcell of the Mayre’s 
othe on Michelmas Bay,” etc., etc. 

1494. —Thomas Bigport, Mayor. Wheat sold in 
Plymouth for Get. a bushel, bay salt at 3 \d. per bushel, 
and herrings at 36-. 4 d. per barrel. 

1495. —-William Xichol, Mayor. The following is 
headed “ An attested copy of a Bye-law made by the 
12 and 24 relative to the imposition of persons refusing 
to take office :— 

“An Act made by William Xycoll, Mayor of Ply¬ 
mouth, and by the Recorder of the same the 12 and 
24 to be counsell of the said borough the 11th year 
of King Henry the 7th. 

“ Item .—It is enacted for them that refuse to be in 
office when they be chosen by the Mayor and Counsell 









LANDING OF CATHERINE OF ARAGON. 


TO 


of the Towne; that they so refusinge to be in the same 
office, to be putt by the Mayor, for the time beinge in 
the Hall, and to abide out the time that he or they so 

refusinge find surety, or they.the said Hall to take 

the said office upon payne of <£10, or more and larger 
sum as the case requires.” 

1496. —William Bogers, Mayor. “ The Cornish 
men about Bodmin, rise, march to London, encamp 
on Blackheath, headed by the Lord Andley, and one 
Hammock and Joseph, who were defeated in June, 

1497.” 

1497. —Thomas Tresawell, Mayor. “In September, 
Perkin Warbeck landeth at Wliitsand Bay, in Corn¬ 
wall, goeth to Bodmin, where making up a small 
army, he marchcth to Exeter and beseigeth it, but it 
bravely defended itself. At last Iving Henry coming 
with a great army, he submits, is put in the tower, 
where attempting another treachery, he was hanged at 
Tyburn.” 

1498. —John Painter, Mayor. Hay sold in Ply¬ 
mouth at 8s. 2d. per load. 

1499. —John SlocombeorWilcom.be, Mayor. Wheat 
this year is said to have sold at 4,5. per quarter. 

1500. —William Boyle or Byle, Mayor. 

1501. —Thomas Cross, Mayor. “The Princess Cathe¬ 
rine of Spain landed at Plymouth, was married first 
to Prince Arthur, then to Henry VIII, who divorcing 
her, begat the quarrel between him and the pope, and 









80 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


was followed by a liappy reformation.” “She landed 
at Plymouth on Seynt Erkenweld’s daye,” and was 
accompanied by the Archbishop of Compostella and 
many great nobles. The unfortunate princess was 
handsomely entertained by the Corporation. She 
and the archbishop were lodged at the mayor’s house 
in Notte-street—a house which seems to have been 
of considerable size and importance, in fact the best 
in the town.—Here she is said to have rested for 
a fortnight, and was then escorted by way of Tavistock, 
Okeliampton, and Credit on,* to Exeter, on her way to 
London, where she was received with great honour and 
respect. “At Exeter, her residence was at the house of 
the dean. She rested here several days, then by short 
journies to London.” She was married to Prince 
Arthur on the 6th November. 

The house in Notte-street, said to be the one in 
which the Princess Catherine of Aragon was so well 
entertained by the mayor, is engraved on the next 
page. It is one of the best remaining timber houses 
of its period, and is in excellent preservation, as is 
also another of the same period, likewise engraved on 
the same page, which is still standing a little lower 


* “ It is somewhat remarkable to find this line of road generally followed by travellers 
to and from Plymouth, instead of the old Roman way by Ridgeway, Brent, Totnes, Teign- 
mouth, and Haldon. We can only suppose that this older and more direct road had, like 
many of the Roman ways, been allowed to fall into comparative ruin ; and that the road 
which ran by the great Abbey of Tavistock, the Castle of Okehampton, and the Bishop’s 
Palace at Crediton, was favoured for the sake of the convenient halting places afforded at 
these several stations. It was by this road that Duke Cosmo of Tuscany travelled in the 
days of Charles II, and encountered Sir Coplestone Bamfylde hunting in great state on the 
moors between Tavistock and Okehampton. At Exeter the deanery was the usual head¬ 
quarters of such illustrious travellers. There the Princess Catherine passed two nights, 
during the first of which, the noise of the weathercock on the spire of St. Mary Major’s 
Church so much disturbed her, that it was taken down “ for her greater content.” 



OLD HOUSES IN NOTTE-STREET. 


81 


down in the same street. The appearance of these 
two houses is strikingly picturesque, and the whole of 
the details—the doorways, the windows, the barge- 

boards, the hip-knobs, the brackets, and indeed every 

' •/ 



part—are worthy of careful examination. They are 
each of them four stories in height; the upper story 
of each being gabled. 

The Corporation of Plymouth this year appointed a 
master to teach grammar to the children of the town, 
at a salary of £10 a year, and lodging. 

1502. —John Horse well, Mayor. Prince Arthur 
died. 

1503. —John Painter again Mayor. 

1504. —John lire win or Breman, Mayor. “A dry 
summer, no rain from Whitsuntide to Michaelmas.” 







































































































































82 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


1505. —William Tregle or Trigle, Mayor. “In this 
yere the Duke of Burgoyne, father to Charles the 
V, emperoure, by force of wether landed on the south 
coste of England.” 

1506. —Thomas Tresawell, Mayor. 

1507. —Simon Craswell or Carswell, Mayoiv 

1508. —John Painter, Mayor. 

1509. —Richard Gewe, Mayor. “King Henry VII 
dieth at Richmond, April 21st, 1509. His son pro¬ 
claimed under the name of Henry VIII, and is 
immediately married to his brother’s relict.” 

In this year several noblemen and others embarked 
at Plymouth in four ships belonging to the King, and 
sailed for Cadiz, to assist the King of Aragon against 
the Spanish moors. 

1510. —Walter Pollard, Mayor. 

1511. —William Brooking, Mayor. “The Marquis 
of Dorset, Lords Howard, Broke, and Ferris, the Lord 
Willoughby and divers other noblemen, landed after 
six months’ victorious warfare against the moors in 
Spain, with their archers.” An expedition for the 
north coast of Spain, sailed from Plymouth. Two large 
ships were accidently burned in the harbour. 

1512. —John Grisling, Mayor. In this year an Act 
for fortifying the town is said to have been passed. “In 
this yere the Lord Edward Howard, Lorde Admirall 
of England, was slayne on Saint Mark’s Day, upon the 



WALLS OF PLYMOUTH BUILT. 



coste of Brittany, the Kyng entered France and dis¬ 
tressed the Frenchmen to take Tourenne and Tournay, 
and returned; blit in the meantime, the Kyng of Scotts 
invaded England and was slaine with divers nobles 
and commons of Scotland by the Erie of Surrey, which 
after that, the Kyng did create Duke of NorffolkeY 

1513. —John Pound, Mayor. 

1514. —William Brooking, Mayor. 

1514.—John Painter again Mayor. 

1516. —John Brewin, Mayor. 

1517. —John Herford, Mayor. 

1518. —William Randall, Mayor. 

1519. —John Pound, Mayor. John A r eysey, Bishop 
of Exeter, is said to have built part of the walls of 
Plymouth in this year, but probably it was in 1520., 
as next shown. 

1520. —William Randall, again Mayor. On the 
22nd September, Bishop Yeysey granted an indulgence 
for 40 days to all true penitents, for assisting in build¬ 
ing the walls and fortifications of the town. 

1521. — Stephen Pors or Pearse, Mayor. The 
Emperor Charles Y and the Queen of Aragon landed 
in England. 

1522. —Thomas Bull, Mayor. The King of Denmark 
came into England, and landed at Plymouth. 

John Bovey, Mayor. 


1523. 










84 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


1524. —William Brooking, Mayor. Hooker, one of 
the “ Worthies of Devonshire,” born. 

1525. —John Pound, Mayor. 

1526. —John Herford, Mayor. 

* 

1527. —Henry Brickhain, Mayor. The sweating 
sickness raged in Plymouth and other pails of the 
country. 

1528. —James Horswell, Mayor. 

1529. —William Brooking again Mayor. 

1530. —William Eandall again Mayor. The cele¬ 
brated Sir Bichard Edgcumbe bom at Stonehouse. 

1531. —John Bigport, Mayor. “ Navigation was 
now fairly afloat; ships were every year augmenting 
in size, and people began to see the importance of their 
harbours, which would require some care to be taken 
for their future preservation. Hitherto Sutton Pool, 
the Catwater, Millbrooke Lake, and Stonehouse Pool 
afforded ample accommodation for such ships as were 
sent to the blockade of Calais in 1346; but now, in 
1531, the larger vessels required deeper water and 
greater space, and were not so easily managed for 
being careened, breamed, or repaired. Public attention 
began to be awakened to the necessity of, at least, 
paying some regard to the preservation of our har¬ 
bours in their natural state. Petitions were sent from 
Plymouth, Falmouth, Fowey, Dartmouth, and Teign- 
mouth, praying for an Act of Parliament for “amend¬ 
ing the havens of these ports.” These petitions stated 
“that formerly ships of 800 tons burthen could enter 



ACT FOR PRESERVING THE HARBOURS. 


85 


these harbours at low water; but that now (1531,) a 
ship of a hundred tons could scarcely enter at half 
tide;” and the prayer proceeded to state that these 
fillings-up arose from certain stream works, which 
occasioned great quantities of sand and gravel to be 
brought down, and to fill up the harbours. An Act 
of Parliament was accordingly passed in 1531, which 
provided that no stream works should, in future, be 
worked, unless “ hatches ” are provided to prevent 
the sand from being conveyed down by the rivers 
and into the harbours, and penalties are attached on 
offenders. It was also enacted that “any inhabitant” 
might give information and receive half the penalty, 
etc. As this Act provided that “any inhabitants” 
might give information, it seems the stream workers 
managed to keep the inhabitants of the five towns 
above mentioned aloof from their operations.”* 

“William Strode of Hewnham, in Plympton-Saint- 
Maurice, in the county of Devon, was imprisoned in 
the bishop’s house at Exeter, upon suspicion of heresy, 
where he suffered great hardships; it is not ascertained 
how he was dealt with afterwards, but it is generally 
supposed he died in prison.” 

1532. —William Hawkins, Mayor. This gentleman 
was of the same family as the celebrated Admiral Sir 
John Hawkins. 

1533. —Christopher Moore, Mayor. “ In this year 
it was enacted that butchers should sell their beef and 


* Captain Walker, Harbour Master. 


80 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


\ j 

mutton by weight; beef for a \d. the pound, and 
mutton for \d., which was thought a great advantage 
for the kingdom, but it turned out otherwise, for fat 
oxen were sold for 205. 8d., fat sheep for 3 s 4c/., fat 
calves at same price, and a fat lamb, Is. The butchers 
of London sold penny pieces of beef for the poor, 
each piece 2|lb and sometimes 31b for a penny; and 
13 and 14 pieces for a 1.5.; mutton 8 d. the quarter, and 
4s. Sd. for a cwt. of beef.” 

“By an Act of Parliament made in this year, upon 
a petition exhibited to the King in Parliament by the 
Mayor of Plymouth, it was ordained as the town was 
poor and in decay by reason of many costs and charges 
sustained, and not able to pay the said rent of <£29 65. Sd. 
[see,page 67,) to the said Prior of Plympton; that the 
mayor should be discharged of the said rent, and in 
recompence thereof, the King did grant unto the said 
Prior to impropriate to him and his successors for 
ever, the advowsons of the churches of Ugborough 
and Blackawton; and the Vicar of XJgborough to be 
endowed with the parsonage house, garden and orchard, 
and £20 annuity out of the parsonage; and the Vicar 
of Blackawton to be endowed with the parsonage 
house, and orchard, and £16 yearly out of the parson¬ 
age. But this £29 65. Sd. was only to be paid to the 
said Prior until those churches became void. And after¬ 
wards the church of Blackawton became void before 
the dissolution of monasteries, but the church of 
Ugborough continued until it came to King Henry the 
Eighth, by the act of dissolution. And then King 
Henry the Eighth, by his letters patent, dated 6th May, 


ACT FOR PRESERVING THE HARBOURS. 


87 


36th. of his reign, was pleased, at the request of the 
said Mayor and Commonalty, to release all the said rents 
and the arrearages thereof. All which commissions, 
inquisitions, Acts of Parliament, and charter, are recited 
in one exemplification before mentioned. (Now there 
is only 40s. rent, payable by the Mayor of Plymouth, 
yearly, out of the Borough of Plymouth).” 

1534. —John Elliot, Mayor. ‘ ‘ J ohn Howe the last 
Prior of Plympton, with 20 of his brethren, subscribed 
to the King’s supremacy on 5th of August, this year.” 

1535. —James Horswell, Mayor. In 1535, another 
Act of Parliament passed, reciting that of 1531, for 
preserving the harbours in the west of England. The 
preamble states that “ since the making of the said 
statute, the inhabitants of these port towns having 
little regard, respect, love, or affection to the amend¬ 
ing and maintaining of the same towns, nor to their 
prosterity, as they are naturally bounden and obliged, 
have permitted the stream works to continue (1538) 
without any manner of suit commenced by the in¬ 
habitants thereof.” It then provides that the penalty 
given to any inhabitant of the towns, who will sue for 
the same, shall now be given to u any of Her Majesty’s 
subjects who will sue for the same.” It seems there was 
sufficient cause for complaint against the operations of 
these stream works in this locality; for Lelande, in his 
visit here about 1538, remarked, “ After that, I 
passed over Plym Eiver. I rode about half a mile 
by Tory Brook, whose color is always redde by the 
sand that it runneth on, and caryeth from the Tynne 



88 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


works with it, and so to Plympton Marie so called, 
bycause the church there is dedicate unto our Lady. 
Plympton Marie standeth not upon the Plym Eiver, 
for it is distant almost half a mile from it; but it 
standeth by the Est Pipe of it, whereby the lower and 
first buildings of the Courte of the Priorie be almost 
clove chocked with the sands that Torey bringeth 
from the Tynne works.” 

1536. —Thomas Bull, Mayor. A slight shock of an 
earthquake is stated to have been, this year, felt at 
Plymouth. 

1537. —Thomas Clouter, Mayor. 

1538. —William Hawkins again Mayor. The King 
established a councel for the west, at Tavistock. 

John Howe, the last Prior of Plympton, subscribed to 
the King’s supremacy, August 5th, 1534, and after 
governing the Priory nearly eighteen years, surren¬ 
dered it to the Crown on March 1st, 30th Henry VIII. 
Attached to the surrender of this house is an impression 
of the common seal in red wax, representing Saint Peter 
with his keys, and Saint Paul with his sword, both 
seated. “For his subserviency he was gratified with 
the large annuity of £120, though, in the expectation 
of a dissolution of the Priory, he had been actively 
engaged in obtaining fines for long leases of its property, 
and in charging it with pensions. Eetiring to Exeter 
College, Oxford, in January, 1545, the ex-Prior 
became a “ sojourner ” there.* He was still living 
in 1553. 

* Wood’s Athen. Oxon., vol. 1. p. 5(58. 





LEASES OF CHURCH PROPERTY. 


89 


u Amongst tlie leases of church property, made by 
Howe before the surrender, we find the following 
among the muniments and title deeds at Powderham 
Castle; the tithes of Wembury, leased for twenty-one 
years, to John Pyder of Wembury, for the rent of 
£40 13s. 4 d., deducting <£6 13s. 4 d. towards the salary 
of the Incumbent; the tithes of Saint Budok to Thomas 
Whithede and Robert Kemp for twenty-five years, 
rent £9; the tithes of Saint Julian of Maker, to 
Walter Shere, for twenty-five years, rent £11 6s. 8c/.; 
of Maristowe and Thrusselton, to Edmund Langeford, 
for twenty-one years, rent £8; of Brixton, for twenty- 
one years, to Richard Chalons and Walter Shere, rent 
£30, deducting £6 13s. 4 d. for the Incumbent’s salary; 
the tithes of Plymouth to Richard Hoper, for twenty- 
one years, for £15; for the like term to the same 
Hoper, the tithes of Egg Buckland, for £9; of Tamer- 
ton Follyett, for £10; and of Saint Martin’s Chapel 
in Tamerton Foliot Parish, for 13s. 4d .; the tithes of 
Sandforde, to Thomas Whitehede, for twenty-five 
years, rent £9 6s. 8 d. deducting therefrom £6 for the 
Incumbent; the tithes of Saint Edward’s of Shaugh, 
to Hugh Foster and Baldwin Heyle, for twenty- 
five years, rent £20, deducting therefrom £6 13s. 4 d., 
for the resident curate; the tithes and oblations of 
Saint Thomas’s (afterwards called Saint Maurice’s) 
of Plympton East, with the exception of the tithe, 
garb and theaf, to Richard Chalons and Walter Shere, 
for thirty-five years, rent £11, out of which was to be 
deducted as a salary for the curate, £6 13s. 4 d .; the 
tithes and oblations of All Saints at Plymstock, to 
Walter Shere and Christopher Hornebrooke for twenty- 


90 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


five years, rent £62, £8 of which to be deducted for 
the curate’s stipend; the tithes, great and small, of 
Saint Mary’s of Plympton, to Richard Chalons and 
Walter Shere for twenty-one years, rent £74, of which 
£16 to be deducted for the maintenance of two priests, 
viz : the parish priest and the (sacristan) sexton; the 
tithes of Saint Kew in Cornwall, to Richard Fortescue, 
Esq. and his son Humphry for twenty-five years, 
sum £20,” etc., etc. 

1539.—Thomas Byrte, Mayor. Sir Francis Drake 
born. The patronage of the religious establishments 
in Plymouth, was given by the King to the Corpor¬ 
ation. “A statute was made confirming the seizure 
and surrender of the abbies, in number 645, of 
which 28 were mitred abbotts. 152 colleges were 
also suppressed and 129 hospitals. Their yearly 
value was £161,000 besides the money which arose 
from the materials of the houses, from plate, jewels, 
and church ornaments. Camden says the number 
of monasteries suppressed in England and Wales, 
was 643, colleges 90, chantries and free chapels 2,374, 
and 110 hospitals. From the above circumstance, 
the entire lordship of the Borough of Plymouth with 
the patronage of Saint Andrew’s Church (previous to 
which, the Prior of Plympton was the sole impro¬ 
priator) together with the hospital of White Friars, 
situated on the east part of the town, (Coxside,) the 
hospitals of Grey Friars on the north side of Saint 
Andrew’s Church, with the abbeys of Cisterician 
Friars, south and south-east of the above church, and 
everything appertaining to the above situations, fell by 



JURISDICTION OF THE CASTLE. 


91 


grant of King Henry VIII, into tlie hands of the 
Mayor and Commonalty, who enjoyed them with many 
other valuable appendages (some lost by lapse of time) 
to a late period.” 

1540.—John Thomas, Mayor. “This year a great 
ship of Portugal, laden with spice, was cast away at 
German Bock at Plymouth, much spoil made, and 
great inquisition, and divers imprisoned on that 
account.” Between this time and the establishment 
of a royal dockyard in Hamoaze, wind-bound merchant 
ships took shelter in the estuary of the Tamar, anchor¬ 
ing near Saltash, where shelter and supplies could be 
obtained.” “Plymouth in ancient times, does not 
appear to have been a desirable resting place for 
wind-bound mariners. The “Castel,” or block-house, 
levying contributions, (which the citadel did until the 
beginning of the present century) within the limits of 
its jurisdiction. An old chronicler, who wrote in 1485, 
speaking of Cawsand Bay, describes it as ‘ an open 
road, yet sometimes affording succour to worst sort of 
sea farers, as not subject to comptrollment of Plymouth 
Port. The shore is peopled with some dwelling houses 
and many cellars dearly rented for short usage, in 
saving of pilchards, at which time there flocketh a 
great concourse of sayners and others dependent upon 
their labours.’ About this time (1540) there was only 
a single house at Mount Wise; green fields covering 
the site of Devonport and extending over the present 
dockyard, terminating on a point at the mouth of the 
present Camber, where the piled jetty still retains the 
ancient name of ‘ Froward Point.’ There are some 



92 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


old oil-painted landscapes at Mount Edgcumbe House 
of the local scenery of the time, which, display the 
house on Mount Wise, with Stoke Church in the dis¬ 
tance, and the township, or village, of East Stonehonse 
on the sheltered side of Stonehonse Creek, above the 
present bridge.” 

1541. —Thomas Mylles Mayor. 

1542. —James Horswell, Mayor. “One Ferrers, 
(George Ferrers) serving Plymouth in Parliament, 
this year being arrested on an execution by the Sheriff 
of London; he was fetched from the Counter, an Act 
made to free him of the debt, and the sheriff imprisoned 
in the Tower.— Baker's Chronicle. An Act was then 
passed to prevent the arrest of Members of Parlia¬ 
ment. 

1543. —Thomas Holloway, Mayor. 

“The Sheriff’s Eeceipt for the Fee-farm Pent of 40s. 

“ This Bill made the 10th day of October in the 35th 
year of our Sovereign Lord King Henry the Eighth, 
Wytnesseth that I, George Hay don, under-sheriff of 

Devonshyre the day of the.have received 

of Thomas Holloway, Mayor of Plymouth, the sum 
of Forty Shyllyngs sterlynge of and for the fee-farms 
of Plymouth dewe unto our Lord the King on the 
Fest of Saynt Andrew, last past, in wytnyss whereof, 
I the said George Haydon, have subscribed my name, 
the day and year above written. 


George Haydon.” 




CORNISH AND DEVONSHIRE INSURRECTION. 93 


1544. —Thomas Clouter, Mayor. “ About this time 
Marazion was burned by a party of marauding French, 
who did much damage along the coast.” 

1545. —William Randall again Mayor. 

1546. —Luke Cock, Mayor. “ At Plymouth was a 
Priory of White Friars, in the east part of the town, 
which was granted to Giles Iselham, 38 Henry VIII, 
(1546,) as also a house of Grey Friars, founded in 7 
Richard II.” 

1547. —John Elliot, Mayor. “In this yere was the 
fyrst insurrection in Cornwall, when one Bodye was 
slayne, and afterwards the commons were pacified by 
the gentylemen of the countrey, with small trouble, 
but yet many of the chyffe of the commons were 
hanged, drawn, and quartered.” 

1548. —Richard Hooper, Mayor. The admiral be¬ 
headed. “ Insurrections general in the country, but 
Exeter, and the Castle of Plymouth, were valiantly 
defended, and kept from the rebels at the towne’s 
expence—until Lord Russell and the King’s army 
came. One rebel was burnt, others hung at Tyburn.” 
The well-affected inhabitants took shelter in Saint 
Nicholas’ Island. 

> 

1549. —William Weekes or Wykes, Mayor. During 
this mayoralty, the Cornish, Devonshire, and Somerset¬ 
shire men began to rebel, and beseiged Exon, but 
were defeated. The rebels were repulsed from Ply¬ 
mouth, and one of them burnt at the town’s expense. 






94 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


“The four western counties, Dorset, Somerset, Devon, 
and Cornwall, were distinguished in the important 
particulars of language, obstinacy in religion, climate, 
and remoteness from the metropolis. Many interesting 
changes had only recently been affected. The Reform¬ 
ation was not introduced in the quiet manner that it 
obtained in other counties. Our west-country spurned 
the book of Common Prayer as being New English , 
which so many could not understand, as they could 
neither read nor follow the services in English—Cornish 
a dialect of the Celtic, being their language. The 
rebellion of 1549, 3rd year of Edward YI, aptly styled 
in archives “ Commocion Time,” was one of violence 
and great bloodshed, as our annals confirm. The 
insurgents grew more daring, in proportion as mercy 
was offered them; and in their 10th article expressed 
their determination to have nothing to do with the 
the English tongue, as follows:—‘We will have the 
Dible and all books of Scripture to be called in again. 
Eor, we are informed that otherwise, the clergy shall 
not of long time confound the heretics. 5 55 

Bishop Lacey granted an indulgence for 40 days, on 
the 26th November this year, to all true penitents 
contributing “ ad novam fabricacionem fosse vil juxta 
eastium infra villam de PlymuthP A similar indulgence 
having previously, in 1460, been granted by Bishop 
Stafford towards the erection of two towers and repairs 
of a causeway lately destroyed) “ per inimicos nostros 
de Britannia , jus defensione non solum ejusdem ville sed 
etiam patrie circumjacentis ac salvd navium custodid 
ibidem applicatientium . 55 



EXPEDITION TO SPAIN. 


95 


1550. —John Kainsham, Mayor. The sweating 
sickness raged throughout England, and was very 
severe in this district. 

1551. —Thomas Clouter, Mayor. 

1552. —John Thomas, Mayor. Bichard Edgecombe, 
Member of Parliament for Plymouth. 

1553. —Luke Cock, Mayor. Boger Budophide and 
William Hawkins, Members of Parliament for Ply¬ 
mouth. “ The Erie of Bedforde, the Lord Eitzwaters 
with sondry other men of honor and also of worshippe, 
tooke shipping at Plymouth in the Queen’s Majesties’ 
shipes, and ^ayled into Spayn to Philipe, eldest son 
and here unto Charles Y, emperoure, to thintent to 
wayte upon the said Kyng Philipe, being then detyrmed 
to come into England; after this a nobleman of Spayne 
named the Marquis de las Havas, landed at Plymouth, 
where the Lord William Howard, Lord Highe Admiral 
of England, was with sondry of the Queen’s Majesties’ 
shippes, and received hym very honourably. The said 
Ivyng Philipe landed at Southealmpton, and on Saint 
James his day then next following, was maryed unto 
the Queen’s Highness at Wynchester.” (The marriage 
took place in 1554). 

This being the first year of Queen Mary’s reign, a 
new charter was granted to the Borough of Plymouth. 
“By this charter, Queen Mary confirms the letters 
• patent of King Edward the Sixth, King Henry the 
Eighth, King Henry the Seventh, and the Act of 
Parliament of King Henry the Sixth, and a charter by 




96 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


the same King Henry the Sixth, the 25tli July, 18th 
year of his reign, which charter is there recited, and 
by which it appears that these priviledges following he 
granted to the Mayor and Commonalty of Plymouth:— 

“First—That the Mayor and Recorder be justices of 
the peace for the time being, and to hear and determine 
all offences within the borough, treason and felony 
excepted. 

“Secondly—That the Mayor and Commonalty have 
and hold a guild of merchants within the said borough, 
with all that thereunto belongs, the same as the Mayor 
and Bayliffs of Oxford had done. 

“Thirdly—To hold pleas in the Guildhall of all causes 
real and personal and mixt, and to hear and determine 
the same as the Mayor and Bayliffs of Oxford do, 
arising within the said borough. 

“ Fourthly—To have cognizance of pleas as the 
Mayor and Bayliffs of Oxford had, to be allowed in 
all the Queen’s courts. 

“ Fifthly—To have the return and execution of all 
writs within the precinct of the borough, and that no 
sheriff, coroner, justice of the peace, bayliff, or any 
other minister of the King, his heirs or successors 
enter within the precinct of the said borough, to 
execute any process, rules for matters only, concern¬ 
ing the King, unless in default of the Mayor and 
Commonalty. 

“Sixthly—That none of the burgesses there be 
returned in any juries of assizes, which should happen 
to be taken out of the borough, unless he had lands 
out of the borough. 









NEW CHARTER GRANTED BY QUEEN MARY. 


97 


“ Seventhly—To choose a coroner within the borough 
as often as there should he one wanting, and swear 
him into that office. 

“Eighthly—To have two fairs yearly, one upon Saint 
Matthew’s Day, and the other upon Saint Paul’s Day, 
and to continue three days after, and two markets 
every week, one Monday, the other Thursday; and 
to have within the precinct of the said borough, soc- 
cage, saccage, toll, tallage, infangtheft, outfangtheft, 
goods of felons and fugitives, outlaws or others, con¬ 
demned or convict, and of felons of themselves happen¬ 
ing, and to seize the same, without delivery or request. 

“Ninthly—To have all fines, amerciaments, issues 
and redemptions, forfeited, assessed or adjudged within 
the said borough, and to levy the same to their own 
use, without any extracts out of the exchequer. 

“Tenthly—That the Mayor and Commonalty and 
every of them and their servants and ministers, as 
well through the whole kingdom of England as by 
sea as far as the King’s power was, should be free and 
discharged of tolls, murage, pontage, passage, stallage, 
lastage, keyage, pickage, panage, carriage, winage, 
anchorage, seawaige, strandage, chimmage, keelage, 
customs, impositions, and other charges whatsoever, 
and of all other exactions and customs of and for 
themselves their goods and merchandizes any way 
to be paid.” 

1554. — John Illcomb, Mayor. John Mallett and 
Richard Hooper, Members for Plymouth. “ In this 
yere Thomas Gresham, Esq., the Queen’s Majesties’ 
agent and factor, returned oute of Spaine and landed at 





98 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


Dartmouth, in the monthe of February, with much 
treasor brought oute of Spaine, whereof some landed 
at Plymouthe, in merchant shippes, some at Dartmouth, 
and at other places.” 

The Spanish and other ambassadors entertained at 
Mount Edgcumbe, by Sir Richard Edgcumbe. 

1555. —John Ford, Mayor. Sir Thomas Knyvett 
and Roger Butockside, Members of Parliament. 

1556. —Thomas Clouter, Mayor. Thomas Carew 
and John Yonge, Members. “Philip, King of Spain, 
landed at Plymouth, and dined with the Mayor and 
Corporation; the entertainment cost <£300.” “In this 
yere, the 7th day of June, was the warres proclaymed 
between the Ryalmes of England and France.” 

1557. —John Derry, Mayor. Humphry Speacot 
and Nicholas Slaning, Members. It is said that this 
is the year in which Philip, King of Spain, landed 
at Plymouth, and dined with the Corporation. 

1558. —William Weekes, Mayor. “In this yere, 
the 12th day of April, was the peace proclaymed be¬ 
tween the Realms of England, France, and Scotlande.” 

1559. —Luke Cock, Mayor. 

1560. —John Elliot, Mayor. 

1561. —Edward White, Mayor. Another account 
says William Whitehaven. ‘ ‘ William Lake was chosen 
but he dying the 10th Nov., Edward White was 
chosen instead of him.” 








YEARLY ACCOUNTS OE THE CORPORATION. 


09 


The following payments, made this year by the 
Corporation, are highly interesting and curious. 


u Extracts from the receipts and payments of the 
Beceivours of the Mayor and Commonalty of the 
Borough of Plymouth, in the respective years men¬ 
tioned in the margin. 


“1561.—Item to my L. Busshoppe’s players 
Item to Mr. Fortescue’s players ... 
Item to Mr. Stidston for mendinge 
the foorde at Plymbridge ... 

Item to Mr. Hawkins for moneye 
paide at Bristoll for inrollinge the 
Chart our ... 

Item to the Queen’s players 

Item to a dinner given to the Lord 

Busslioppe... 

Item to Mr. Cook for the hier of 
his horse, when he rode to London 
Item for the Clocke with the charges 
in settinge uppc the same... 

Item for takinge downe the howse 
in the churche yearde and for elen- 
singe the same 

Item for a locke for the bulworcke 
door and for mendinge the school 
house door... 


£ s. d. 

0 13 4 

0 13 4 

0 18 

10 0 
10 6 

5 2 6 

0 13 4 

6 13 4 

0 6 8 

0 3 4” 


1562.—John Ford, Mayor. Sir Thomas Edmonds 
born at Plymouth. “ At an early age, he appears to 
have been introduced to the court of James I, and 



100 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


speedily obtained the confidence of the King, being 
sent an ambassador to the Archduke of Brussels, and 
afterwards to France. On his recall from the latter 
appointment, he became comptroller of the King’s 
household, and afterwards treasurer, with the steward¬ 
ship of the Marshalsea. He distinguished himself by 
his opposition to the views of the Catholic party. As 
a statesman he was able and polite, and his letters, 
which are preserved, show his ability as a writer.” 
The following items are from this year’s accounts of 
the Corporation:— 


u Item to a Plumer for mendinge the £ s. 
lead in the Castell and Bulworcke 0 17 
Item received for the rent of the 
Towne Mylles this yeare ... 

Item to a Helyar at the bulworcke 0 0 

Item to cowpe for pynnynge the wall 
in the Castell ... ... ... 0 0 

Item paid J ohn Martyn for a dinner 
given to the Busshoppe’s chancellor 1 5 

Item paid for helynge stones for the 
Scholehowse 

Item paid to Mrs. Lacye for a diner 
given to Sr Arthur Champnowne 
when he kepte the Admyrall’s 
Courte here ... ... ... 013 

Item paide for the charges of fower 
men sent before the Comyssioners 
for the settinge furthe of him ... 0 2 

Item given to Sir Parcyvall Hart’s 
Plaiers . 0 0 


d. 

0 

6 

8 

4 


0 

6 

8 



YEARLY ACCOUNTS OF THE CORPORATION. 101 


1563.—John Derry Mayor. Thomas Champernoun 
and William Periam, Members. The great massacre 
in France, at the marriage of the King of Xavarre. 
A great plague in London. The following items are 
from the Corporation accounts of this year:— 


u Item to the Erell of Warwike ys 
pleers, the IX of June, for pleyng 
Item to the Mayor and Mr.—with 
others for ryding to Plympton be- 
for the comyssyon at the monster! 
Item to the Queen’s players 
Item for a Throne for the towne ... 
Item for the kayes of the Castell... 


£ s. d. 

0 13 4 


0 3 10 

10 0 
12 0 
0 1 11 


1564.—Xicholas Stanning or Slaning, Mayor. The 
following are from the Corporation accounts of this 
year :— 

u Item paid for carryinge of ten ordy- 
nance from the Hawe, to Philipe 
Dingell ys howse ... ... ... 0 0 8 

Item payed to the Erell of Wor- 
setter’s pleers ... ... ... 013 4 

Item payed for fatchynge of the 
ordinance from the Islonde 
Item payed to John Waddon for a 
Maste for the Towne’s Barge ... 0 6 8 


1565.—Xicholas Pickford, Mayor. The following 
are from the Corporation accounts of this year:— 


u Item paide for a dynner for Mr. 
Southcote, Mr. Shyverton, and Mr. 





102 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


Gill syttinge in commyssion toucliyn 
the dekaye of this towne, and other 
artycles touchyn the customer and 
controller ... 

Item paide for the passage of the 
12 men that apered afore Sir Peter 
Car ewe at Mounte Agcomb 
Item paide to 3 Erittons that were 
taken the 6th of January... 

Item paide to the foure boyes of 
Towne that played at the Mayor’s 
Item paide to my Lord Munger’s 
Pleyers 

%j 

Item paide to my Lord Hnnsdon’s 
Fleers 


s. 


a. 


0 10 0 


0 10 


0 2 0 


0 


5 


0 


0 13 4 


0 13 4 




u There is a very long account of payments to work¬ 
men of all descriptions this year, and which evidently 
intimates that some large building was erected, and 
I am inclined to think it was the old Guildhall, because 
I observe charges for stone pillars, and this was the 
only building I can recollect where there were stone 
pillars used.” 


1566.—John Illcomb, Mayor. The following inter¬ 
esting references to the Castle, to Minstrells, etc, occur 
in the Corporation accounts of this year :— 


“ Item paide to Players in the Churche 
uppon Saint John is daye... ... 0 6 8 

Item paied to the Mynstrells and 
Dauncers uppon Maye daie for their 
dynners and drynkinge ... ... 0 6 8 




YEARLY ACCOUNTS OF THE CORPORATION. 


103 


Item paid for a dinner for the receiv- £ s. 
inge of the Quene’s Ambassador ... 1 0 

Item payed towarde the settinge 
fourth of Soldiours into Scotland... 2 13 
Item paied for mending the leades 
of the M’kett Cross ... ... 0 14 

Item paied to Alse Lyell for my 
Lord Bushope’s dynner ... ... 1 6 

Item paied to the Cooke for the 
rostinge of the Meat ... ... 0 1 

Item paied to Willm Flecher for 
fetheringe of ten Shiffe of Arrowes 0 8 

Item paied for drynkinge when the 
ordynance was brought to the Hawe 0 2 

Item paied to Mr. Hawkins for 
fatchinge of the Ordynance from 
the Islond to the Castell ... ... 2 0 


d. 

0 

4 

0 

8 

6 

8 

8 

0 


“ There is frequent mention made in this and preced¬ 
ing years of the expences of repairing the pump; a 
thing of no small importance before the water was 
brought to the town.” 

1567.—William Hawkins, Mayor. “In this yere 
the Wache (Wake) on Mydsomer nyght was renew- 
yead, which had not beene used in XX yeres before 
that tyme.” The following are from the Corporation 
accounts of this year :— 

“ Item, received of divers parsons in- 
habitinge within this Towne this 
yeare, not free ... ... ... 3 1 4 



104 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


Item received of Eichard Filde of £ 
Plimpton, for his fyne for a forfeit¬ 
ure by him made, in sellinge of 
certeyne salt to a stranger this yeare 
and he himself a forryner also ... 0 

Item received of James Hampton 
for servinge of a wreyte that came 
from the Sheriff of the Shere, upon 
John Granger in breach of the liber¬ 
ties of the Towne ... ... ... 0 

Item paide to a man that broughte 
a letter from Mr. Slannyinge con- 
cernygne the burgizes of the Parly- 
ment ... ... ... ... 0 

Item paide to one to cary the wryt 
that was indented to execf; and to 
convaye hym to London ... ... 0 

Item paid to Wm. Flacher for 

trymynge of ten shevis of arrowes 0 
Item gave to the companny of Saint 
Budokes on May day ... ... 0 

Item paide there to the Morysh 
Hauncers ... ... ... ... 0 

Item paide for a breckfast for the 
Moryshe Dauncers pleers on May 
day ... ... ... ... 0 

Item paide to John Whyte of Lon¬ 
don for the Vicarage ... ... 20 

Item paide to Mr. Slannynge for 
charges about the Vicarage 
Item paid to Wibber, Eoberte, Kil- 
burn, and one more for dragging 


s. d. 

4 0 

3 4 

4 0 

1 4 

8 4 

10 0 
3 4 

5 0 
0 0 


YEARLY ACCOUNTS OF THE CORPORATION. 


105 


£ s. d. 

uppe of the planks for the gunnes 0 0 8 

Item paide to Cawse and Grippe for 
drawing uppe of the Ordynance to 
the Hawe ... ... ... ... 0 1 0 

Item paide for newe cnttinge of the 
Gogmagoge at the Hawe ... ... 0 0 8 

“Several charges are inserted in this year’s account 
for work upon the chaple.” 


1568.—Luke Cock, Mayor. “A regulation was this 
year made in the town for preventing ballast and filth 
from being thrown into Sutton Pool and other parts 
of the harbour ; and a public functionary, named 
Robert Ivilbourn, whose duty it was to “beat beggars 
out of the town,” received for his service the handsome 
salary of ten shillings per annum.” The following are 
taken from the Corporation accounts of this year:— 


“ Item paid for a kaye for the Islande 
doi e ... ... ... ... 

Item paid for dressinge the Maye 
P ole ... ... ... ... 

Item paid for rentinge of the Maye 
Pol e 

JL vlv ••• ••• ••• ••• 

Item paid to the Morishe Dawnsers 
on Maye daye 

Item paid to Kempe for the Maye 
Pol e 

viv ••• ••• ••• 

Item paid to the Erie of Worcester’s 
pleers 

Item paid to Sir Harry Portescue 
ys pleers 


0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 


1 

1 

3 

4 
3 

5 


4 

0 

4 

0 

4 

0 


• • • 


0 10 0 




106 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


Item paid to Thoms Maynerde, 29 
of June, for charges about the beny- 

flCe ••• • • • . 4 . 444 


£ s. d. 
16 8 


1569.—John Martin, Mayor. The new Conduit built 
by William Hawkins. The following are from the 
Corporation accounts of this year:— 


“ Item payed for mendynge the causse 
at Southside ... ... ... 0 8 

Item payed for a rope for the bell 
upon the Hawe ... ... ... 0 1 

Item payed to Eeltwy tt for 13 dayes 
to pulle downe the Ivey about the 
Castell Walles ... ... ... 0 6 

Item payed at Stonehouse when Mr. 

Maior and others met Mr. Edgcomb 
aboute the Armour ... ... 0 0 

Item paid for the dynner of Mr. 
Edgcomb, Sir Arthur Champer- 
nowne, Knyght, Mr. Strode, and 

other Commyssioners at the first 
Muster ... ... ... ... 0 19 

Item payed to the souldioures that 
were sent into Irelonde ... ... 3 0 

Item payed to Bobert Kylburn for 
one quarter, is wages, to beate the 
beggars out of town ... ... 0 2 


0 

1 

6 

8 


4 

0 

6 


“An account of the produce of the Tolls of the 
Market, from 1561, to this year:— 





drake’s expedition. 



107 



£ s. 

d. 

£ s. 

d. 

1561.—Market 

• 

1 12 

0 ' 



Shamells ... 

• 

4 15 

4 

7 2 

7 

Shamells ... 

• 

0 15 

o 

O i 



1562.—Market 

• • 

1 10 

0 \ 



Shamells ... 

• • 

4 8 

10 

6 17 

10 

Standings ... 

• • 

0 19 

0 j 



1563. ... 6 10 

0 

1567. 

• • • 

6 10 

0 

1564. ... 6 10 

0 

1568. 

• • • 

6 10 

0 

1565. ... 6 10 

0 

1569. 

• • • 

6 10 

0” 

1566. ... 6 10 

0 





1570. — Gregory Cock, 

Mayor. 

The 

• 

plague 

in 


Plymouth. “ The first European settlers of Northern 
America, sailed from Plymouth, under Sir Humphrey 
Gilbert of Compton.” 

1571. —William Halloway or Holloway, Mayor. Sir 
Humphrey Gilbert and John Hawkins, (and after¬ 
wards John Hawkins and Edmund Tremain,) Members. 

1572. —John Blyman or Blytheman, Mayor. “The 
Eree School of Plymouth built, now known as the 
Corporation Grammar School; as also the quay on 
Southside from the Barbican northward, underneath the 
Casteil, under full sea mark, in length 130 feet, and in 
breadth 44 feet.” “ On Whitsunday Eve, being the 24th 
May, Captain (afterwards Sir Francis) Drake, in the 
Pascha of Plimouth, of 70 tonnes, his admiral, with the 
Swanne of Plimouth, 25 tonnes, vice-admiral, in which 
his brother John Drake was captain, having in both 73 






108 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


men and boys, the eldest 50, all the rest under 30, so 
divided 47 in one, and 26 in the other, with victuals 
and apparel for a whole year, but especially having 
three dainty pinnaces made in Plimouth, taken asunder 
all in pieces and stowed aboard ; set saile from out of 
the Sound of Plimouth, with intent to land at Yombre 
da Dios.” 

1573. —William Drooking, Mayor. “ Captain (Sir 
Prancis) Drake returned from his voyage on Sunday, 
August 9, 1573, at what time the news of our captain’s 
return brought unto his family, did so speedily passe 
over all the church, and surpasse their minds, with 
desire 'and delight to see him, that very few or none 
remained with the preacher, all hastening to see the 
evidence of God’s love and blessing towards our 
Gracious Queen and countrey, by the fruite of our 
captain’s labour and successe.” 

“On the 24th of May, 1572, Sir Francis Drake and 
Thomas, his brother, sailed from Plymouth in two 
ships to attack the Spanish settlement in South 
America; they returned here on the 9 th of August, 
1573. It was on a Simday, and so much were the 
the people delighted, that they left the preacher , and 
ran in crowds to the quays with shouts and congratu¬ 
lations. The quay “under the castell wall,” whereof 
the southard adjoineth the Barbycan had just been built 
by the town for £141 3s. 8d. (Yonge’s M.S.) Its length 
was 130 feet, breadth 44 feet.” 

1574. —John Amadis, Mayor. Such a dearth, that 
wheat was £2 16s. a quarter ; beef at Lammas Is. 10^. 


109 


drake’s voyage round the world. 


a stone; 5 herrings so dear as 2d .; bay salt never so 
dear, 6s. bushel; after harvest, wheat was 24s. per 
quarter, and so continued about a year. 


1575. —Walter Peprill, Mayor. “ Drake’s success 
appears to have encouraged others to follow his ex¬ 
ample, for a Captain Oxenham left Plymouth in 1575, 
for the South Sea in a vessel of 140 tons burthen with 
a crew of 70 seamen. These small vessels appear to 
have carried one man for every two tons of measure¬ 
ment ; that is, about ten times the number of men that 
are now found necessary.” 

1576. —John Illcomb, Mayor. 


1577. — Gregory Maynard, Mayor. ‘ ‘ Sir Francis 
Drake departs Plymouth on his voyage about the earth, 
13th November, 1577, and having encountered a voilent 
tempest, was obliged to return ; the vessels composing 
his fleet, of which he was by the Queen constituted 
the Captain General, were— 


The Pelican ... 100 Tons 

,, Elizabeth... 80 ,, 

,, Marigold ... 30 ,. 

,, Swan ... 50 ,. 

,, Christopher 15 ,, 

The latter (Moche) was 
voyage.” 


Admiral Drake, 
j Vice-Admiral John 
1 Winter. 

John Thomas. 

John Chester. 
Thomas Moche. 
rpenter in Drake’s former 


“ Drake having repaired the damages his fleet had 
suffered, again set sail from Plimouth the 13th Deer., 





110 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


1577, on liis voyage round the world.” Ilis own ship 
was the Pelican. Vessels were fitted out in Plymouth 
to trade from Guinea to the West Indies.” 

157 8.—William Hawkins, Mayor. ‘ ‘ The Governor’s 
House and the Barbican builded.” 

u Sir Walter Ealeigh joined Sir Henry Gilbert in 
the experimental establishment of a colony at New¬ 
foundland. This endeavour failed, and Sir Walter 
returned to Plymouth.” The Earls of Bedford and 
Northumberland and Lords Norton and Wharton, etc. 
visited Plymouth, and were entertained at the town’s 
expense. 

1579. —Gregory Cock, Mayor. The plague made 
sad ravages in Plymouth. It was u supposed to have 
been introduced with some cotton wool landed from a 
Smyrna ship, without being properly aired. Upwards 
of 600 fell victims to its ravages, and so general was 
the fear of its spreading, that the annual election of 
the mayor was held in the open air, on Catdown, at a 
distance from the scene of infection.” 

1580. —John Blithman, Mayor. The plague was so 
great in Plymouth, that this mayor was chosen on 
Catdown, 1600 persons died, a sign Plymouth was 
then but thinly peopled, and a small town. 

“ November 3, 1580, Sir Francis Drake returns 
from his voyage, and brought great treasure, the King 
of Spain seizeth the kingdom of Portugal, whose King 
came into England and lay awhile at Mount Edgcumbe.” 




SIR FRANCIS DRAKE, MAYOR OF PLYMOUTH. Ill 

“At Michelmasse came home Sir Francis Drake to 
Plymouth from the South Sea, and was round about 
the world two years and three-quarters, and brought 
home great store of gold and sylver in blockes, and 
was afterward in the same yere, for his good services 
in that behalf done, knighted. In this yere also, the 
south-west tower of the castell was newlie repaired, 
and covered with leade.” 

Sir Francis Drake returned from his voyage round 
the world, which had occupied him nearly three years. 
After a few days stay in Plymouth, he sailed for 
Deptford. 

1581.—Sir Francis Drake, Mayor. He ordered a 
compass to he set up on the Hoe, which was there 
remaining in 1730. He also ordered that the regulation 
for the Corporation to wear scarlet robes should be 
observed. The plague again broke out in Plymouth, 
and continued several months, many of the inhabitants 
becoming its victims. The Queen dined on board the 
Pelican , at Deptford, with Sir Francis Drake. 

“ Sir Francis Drake was Mayor of Plymouth, and 
it is recorded that he c set up the mariner’s compass 
on the Hoe.’ We must bear in mind that when Drake 
was mayor, the Town of Plymouth, small as it was, 
occupied the low shores of Sutton Pool, and that the 
Iloe then, as now, (although without the Citadel) 
afforded the best look-out position for all those inter¬ 
ested about maritime affairs. Drake was a sharp and 
intelligent seaman, and must have done something 



112 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


more than is recorded in the Corporation Chronicles. 
Instead of merely setting np the mariner’s compass on 
the Hoe, in 1582, I am of opinion he must have 
expended a part of his Spanish prize money in build¬ 
ing a look-out house and place of shelter on the Hoe, 
where the compass, etc. was fixed; for I find that just 
90 years after Sir Francis was mayor, there is this 
entry made in the Corporation accounts : u 1672—Sir 
F. Drake’s compass on the Hoe repaired for £17 18s.” 
What Drake did, in 1582, voluntarily, the Sutton Pool 
Company must now do by Act of Parliament. They 
are required to erect a tide wind and weather guage 
for the information of mariners near the Barbican.” * 

1582. —Thomas Edmonds, Mayor. “Ale stakes put 
down, and signs set up; scarlet gowns first worn in 
in Plymouth, by the Mayor and Court of Aldermen; 
the sluce made within the new keys; the springing 
houses within the town put down. The market bnshell 
made certain; double Winchester.” 

1583. —John Spark, Mayor. Sir Walter Ealeigh 
engaged in prosecuting new discoveries, prevails on his 
friend, Sir Bichard Grenville to join fortune with him, 
who sails hence to Virginia with 6 ships and 600 men. 
The result of this conjunction, was the discovery of 
Carolina and Virginia, in the year 1584, by two ships 
belonging to Sir Walter Ealeigh and his company, 
commanded by Captain Philip Amidas and Captain 
Arthur Burlow. The account which these ships brought 
home of the country, its productions and inhabitants, 


* Captain Walker, Harbour Master. 





113 


RATES ON 


MERCHANDIZE. 


induced the adventurers to endeavour the establishment 
of a settlement there.” “The King of Portugal comes 
to Plymouth. Mr. John White, of London, gave the 
Union Cup, value £13 65 . 8 c/.” 


“Plymouth.—A rate made for granaige and kaydidge 
within the borough aforesaid the xxth daie of Septem¬ 
ber, in the xxvth yeare of the reigne of our Sovereigne 
Ladye, Queene Elizabeth, 1583. 


“ First.-—It is agreed that every Merchante \ 
being no Townesman, shall pay for kaydage , 
and granaige for every tonne ... ... / 

Merchandize | 

without the same, then to pay for every tonne j 
And every Merchante that shall lade or un¬ 
lade any merchandize, namely salt, and sold, I 
shall pay for every tonne accompting xxiiij i 
bushells to the tonne ... ... ... 

And every Merchante that shall lade or un- ) 
lade any fardell of cloth, shall paye ... j 

And for every paire of Cornish tyn... 

And for every paire of Devonshire tyn 
And all kynde of graine as also beans and 1 
peas, shall pay for every tonne ... ... ) 

And all inhabitants of the Towne, not being 

free, and using merchandizes, shall. / 

to paye for all merchandizes, as every . ^ 

is appoyntede to paye ... ... ... 


And if they lande or lade any 


yp/. 

iiijc/. 


yl 

\(L 

j d. 

ob. 



1584. — Charles Brooking, Mayor. “The Queen 
undertakes the protection of the Hollanders. The 




114 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


Barbican stairs built; the Queen gives a rent of 
£39 10s. 10 d. for the maintenance of the Island. Sir 
Francis Drake goes for the West Indies, September 
14th, with 24 ships and barks, 20 pinnaces, and 3,000 
men. Sir Hi chard Grenville, Knight, departed from 
Plymouth with 6 shippes and barks, and 600 men. 

“In September, 1584, Don Antonio, King of Portugal 
being driven out of his own kingdom by Philip, King 
of Spain, landed here from Lisbon, was entertained by 
the mayor, and proceeded on to Exeter2’ 

“ The Corporation claim a right, and appoint the 
Governor of Saint Kicholas’ Island, and the Queen 
allows £39 10 s. 10 d, per annum as rent and for repairs. 
The old Barbican stairs were built. On the 14th 
September, 1585, this entry was made : “ Sir Francis 
Drake sails for the West Indies with 24 ships, 20 pin¬ 
naces, and 3000 men, whom God. preserve.” 

1585.—Thomas Ford, Mayor. Tobacco first brought 
into England. Henry Bromley and Christopher Harris, 
Members for Plymouth. “ Sir Eichard Grenville 
voyages to Virginia for Sir Walter Ealeigh. April 9th. 
He departed from Plymouth with seven sayle, the chief 
men with him in command were Masters Ealph Layne, 
Thomas Candish (Cavendish), Jno. Arundell, Master 
Stukley, Bremize, Vincent, Heryot, and Jno. Clarke. 
The General on his way home, took a rich loaden ship, 
of 300 tons, and arrived at Plymouth, 18th Sept., 1585. 
The first planting of Virginia in America.” 



drake's expedition. 


115 


“ Sir Bichard Granville, after his retiuTi from liis 
expedition to Virginia, fixed liis residence at Bideford, 
in the Xortli of Devon, and brought with him an 
Indian, who was baptized in Bideford Church, by the 
name of Bawleigh, in honour of the brave and learned 
Sir "Walter Bawleigh, Sir Bic-hard Granville’s kinsman 
and companion, on Sunday, March 26th, 1588. This 
Indian, however, did not live much above a year after, 
for he was buried in Bideford Churchyard, April 7th, 
1589. He is entered in the Parish Begister, as a native 
of Wynganditoia." * 


1586.—George Mainard, Mavor. Henry Bromley and 
Hugh Vaughan. Members for Plymouth. “ Sir Francis 

O O 1 J 

Drake, General of Her Majesty, with 12 ships, sails 
from Plymouth, 3rd April, and burnt many of the King 
of Spain’s ships, at Cadiz, that were preparing for the 
invasion, took a great carrick of 1,000 tons, laden with 
spices, and brought her home.” “Corn scarce through 
the kingdom, yet notwithstanding, by the help of God, 
the inhabitants of the town were sufficiently relieved. 
The judges come to see the town. ' 

“ On the 3rd of April, 1586, Drake left Plymouth, 
in command of 4 men-of-war, 12 merchant ships, with 
many small barks and pinnaces, to cruize against the 
Spaniards, on their own coasts. He greatly annoyed 
them, burning many ships and capturing 4 a great 
carrick,’ of 1,000 tons burthen, laden with spices. 
The Spaniards were, at this time, preparing their 
Armada for the invasion of England. When Drake 


* Watkins’ History of Bideford. 8vo , 1702. 





116 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 

was cruizing against the Spaniards, (and just three 
days after Drake left Plymouth), the Mayor and Com¬ 
monalty resolved that a Scottish ship, then lying in 
Sutton Pool and laden with rice, should he sold for 
the benefit of the poor! Whilst the Spaniards were 
sending forth their colonies and preparing their arm¬ 
aments, Plymouth, from its admirable hydrographical 
advantages and geographical position, was gradually 
brought into notice * for it was from Plymouth that 
the predatory expeditions of Drake, the Earl of Cum¬ 
berland, Paleigh, Cavendash, and others took their 
departures.” * 

1587. —William Hawkins, Mayor. “Mary Queen of 
Scots beheaded. The Queen’s fleet of 120 sail, under 
command of the Lord Howard, Sir Francis Drake, and 
Hawkins arrive at Plymouth. Went to meet the Armada 
July 21st; the following Sunday, appear before the 
harbour.” 

“Flemming the noted pyrate, although sought for, to 
be hung, as his companions Clinton and Pursser were, 
by order of Queen Elizabeth ; yet such a friend was he 
to his country, that discovering the Spanish Armada, 
he voluntarily came to Plimouth, yielded himself 
freely to my Lord Admirall, and gave him notice of 
the Spaniards comming, which good warning came so 
happily and unexpectedly, that he had his pardon and 
a good reward.” 

1588. —Humphrey Fownes, Mayor. Miles Saunders 
and Beginald Nicholas, Members for Plymouth. “Best 


* Captain Walker, Harbour Master. 




THE SPANISH AIlMAl)A. 


117 


beef 1 d. per ft. Christmas, 1588, wheat 2s. 8d., barley 
Is. 8 d., oats 11c/.; before the end, wheat 3s. to 4 s. 5c/., 
rye Is. 6c/., barley Is. 6c/. per bushell.” “The Spanish 
Armada invades England and is destroyed.” One 
account of this Armada says :— 

“This yere Iler Majestic’s sliippes, 2 pinnaces and 
180 sail of mcrchannt sliippes, go in warlike manner 
to the Coaste of Spain, under the command and direc¬ 
tion of Sir Jno. Aorris, Ivt. and Sir Francis Drake, 
Ivt., Lords Generalls, they took diverse places of force 
in Spayne, but having a great sicknesse happening 
amongst theire men, they returned without enteringe 
into the Cytie of Lisbon, to which place theire chief 
bent was, yet entered they the subburbes and tooke it, 
and came to the gate of the cytie, where it was said 
the Eight Honorable the Lord of Essex knocked with 
such instrument as he had in his hand.” Another 
account says: — 

“ The Spanish Armada, or fleet, consisted of 132 
v sail of large ships, 20 caravals for conveying their 
artillery and stores, and 10 small vessels of six oars 
each, having on board 8,766 sailors, 2,088 galley 
slaves, 21,855 soldiers, and 3,165 pieces of cannon, 
(these were to be joined by the Prince of Parma, on 
their arrival off the English Coast, with 30,000 foot 
and 1,800 horse), set sail from Corunna; but meeting 
with a voilent storm, were obliged to put back, notice 
of which being obtained by the English fleet, then 
cruizing at the mouth of the British Channell to inter¬ 
cept their passage, they returned into Plymouth, and 
thinking the danger over for that year, began to 




118 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


dismantle tlieir ships; the Spaniards, however, soon 
repaired their damages, and again set sail for the 
English Coasts; but being happily descried by Captain 
Winter, who commanded a small Scottish privateer, he 
hastened to Plymouth, and gave notice to the English 
commanders of the approach of the Spanish fleet. The 
contrary winds prevented the English fleet from coming 
out harbour, and the Spaniards proceeded up channell, 
(their fleet being drawn up in the form of a crescent,) 
and passing Plymouth, continued their voyage under a 
slow and easy sail in sight of the inhabitants, who were 
posted at the most accessible parts of the coast, to 
prevent their descent. The English, having with 
difficulty warped their ships out of Plymouth, followed 
them with a much inferior force, w r hile the gentlemen 
of Devonshire greatly exerted themselves by fitting 
out all the ships they could procure, and hastening to 
join the English fleets where they behaved themselves 
with the greatest intrepidity, and contributed highly 
to the success which followed. The Prince of Parma 
was prevented, by the vigilance of the English and 
Dutch squadrons, from joining the Spanish forces, in 
consequence of which, and meeting with several defeats, 
the Spaniards endeavoured to escape homewards round 
the north of Scotland and Ireland, where so many of 
their ships were lost, as out of the whole wdiich left 
Spain, only 97 returned, and most of their crews w r ere 
lost. The loss of the English was only one ship and 
about 100 men; thus the despotic designs of the 
Spanish Monarch to subjugate this nation and extirpate 
the Protestant religion was frustrated, through the 
providence of the Almighty, and the bravery of our 


THE SPANISH ARMADA. 


119 


ancestors. Among the Devonshire worthies, who dis¬ 
tinguished themselves on this glorious occasion, were 
Sir Francis Drake, Sir Martin Frobisher, Sir John 
Hawkins, Sir Humphrey Gilbert, Sir Walter Raleigh, 
Sir Robert Carey, Knight, and Edward Fulford, Esq., 
then Sheriff for the County of Devon.” And another 
account thus speaks:— 

“ This year the Spanish Armada appeared before 
Fly mouth Sound, the Sunday before St. James’ Day, 
in half moon form, lay too in sight of the Haw, and 
Mount Edgcumbe and Penlee Point for two days, and 
then made sail to the eastward. The Duke de Medina 
the Spanish Admiral, was so enraptured with the 
beauties of Mount Edgcumbe, that he parcelled it 
out for himself, in the division of lands. Sir Francis 
Drake sailed from the Sound, joined the Exeter ships, 
and the defeat soon ensued in the narrow seas A There 
is a picture of their situation in Mount Edgcumbe 
House.” 

On the 19th of July, says Macfarlane, one Fleming, 
a Scottish pirate or privateer, sailed into Plymouth 
with intelligence that he had seen the Spanish fleet off 
the Lizard. At the moment most of the captains and 
officers were on shore, playing at bowls on the Hoe. 
There was an instant bustle and a calling for the ships’ 
boats, but Drake insisted that the match should be 
played out, as there was plenty of time both to win 
the game and beat the Spaniards. Unfortunately the 
wind was blowing hard in their teeth, but they con¬ 
trived to warp out their ships. On the following day, 


♦Captain Cocke a native of Plymouth, was killed in this fight. 



120 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


being Saturday, tlie 20th of July, they got a full sight 
of the Armada standing majestically on—the vessels 
being drawn up in the form of a crescent, which, from 
horn to horn, measured some seven miles. Their great 
height and bulk, though imposing to the unskilled, 
gave confidence to the English seamen, who reckoned 
at once upon having the advantage of tacking and 
manoeuvering their lighter craft. At first it was 
expected that the Spaniards might attempt a landing 
at Plymouth, but the Duke of Medina adhered to the 
plan which had been prescribed to him, and which 
was to steer quite through the channel till he should 
reach the coast of Flanders, where lie was to raise 
the blockade of the harbours of ieuport and Dunkirk, 
maintained by the English and Dutch, make a junction 
with the Duke of Parma, and bring that prince’s forces 
with him to England. Lord Howard (the Admiral) 
let him pass, and then followed in his rear, avoiding 
coming to close quarters, and watching with a vigilant 
eye, for any lucky accident that might arise from cross 
winds or irregular sailing. And soon a part of the 
Spanish fleet was left considerably astern by the main 
division, where the Duke of Medina kept up a press of 
sail, as if he had no other object in view but to get 
through the channel as fast as possible. He made 
signals to the slower ships to keep up, which they could 
hot, and he still kept every sail bent. The Disdain , 
a pinnace, commanded by Jonas Bradbury, now com¬ 
menced an attack by pouring a broadside into one of 
the laggards. Lord Howard, in his own ship, the Ark 
Royal , engaged a great Spanish gallon, and Drake, in 
the Revenge , Hawkins, in the Victory , and Frobisher, 







































































































































































































































































































122 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


in the Triumph , ranging up gallantly, brought into 
action all the galleons which had fallen astern. The 
Bear-Admiral, Becaldo, was with this division, and 
fought it bravely; blit his lumbering ships lay like 
logs upon the water, in comparison with the lighter 
vessels of England, which were manageable, and in 
hand, like well-trained steeds. Before any assistance 
could come from the van, one of the great Spaniards 
was completely crippled, and another—a treasure ship 
with 55,000 ducats aboard—was taken by Drake, who 
distributed the money amongst the sailors. The Duke 
of Medina hove to, till the slower ships came up, and 
then all of them, under press of sail, stood farther up 
the channel. This first brush gave great spirit to the 
English, and there were in it several encouraging 
circumstances. It was seen, for example, that the tall 
Spanish ships could not bring their ordnance to bear; 
firing, for the greater part, over the English without 
touching them: and the surer fire of the latter told 
with terrific effect on those huge ships, crammed with 
men—soldiers and sailors. Howard returned towards 
Plymouth, where he was to be joined by forty sail. 
In the course of the night one of the greatest Spanish 
ships was burned, purposely, it is said, by a Flemish 
gunner on board. It was a dark night with a heavy 
sea, and some of the Spaniards ran foul of each other, 
to their great mischief. On the 23rd, Howard, who 
was reinforced, and who had received into his division, 
Sir Walter Baleigh, came up with the whole Armada 
off Portland, when a battle began, which lasted nearly 
the whole day. The engraving we give of the Armada, 
of the ultimate fate of which we need give no further 





SUITLY OF WATER FOR THE TOWN. 123 

particulars, is copied from the Tapestry in the House 
of Lords, and is one of the best and most faithful 
representations extant. For its loan we are indebted 
to the courtesy of Messrs. Blackie, to whom we shall 
have occasion again to refer. 

After the Armada had been defeated, Drake’s Island 
was strengthened; and the old castle, which beetled 
over the Barbican, had seven small brass pieces placed 
on its platform, and Drake left Plymouth with an 
expedition to restore the King of Portugal—hut with¬ 
out success.” 

1589.—John Blithinan, Mayor. “The town agreed 



SIR FRANCIS DRAKE. 

From a picture belonging to the Marquess of Lothian. 


with Sir Francis Drake to bring in the water of the 









124 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


River Move, and gave liim £200 in hand, and <£600 
for which he is to compound with the owners of the 
land over which it runneth.” “April 18th—Sir John 
Norris and Sir Francis Drake sail from Plymouth with 
the King of Portugal, to endeavour to restore him, but 
could not; they came to the gates of Lisbon.” 

“The fifth voyage to Virginia, 1589. March 20th, 
three ships sayle from Plymouth, undertaken by Capt. 
John Whyte, Captains Spicer and Skinner, and five of 
the chiefest men were drowned, and the plantation of 
Virginia abandoned. Wheat 85 ., rye 65 ., barley os. 4 d,, 
in August, wheat 10s., rye 2s. 8 d., barley 2s. 3d.” 

“This yere the north-west tower of the Castell was 
covered with leade, and 7 brass pieces was likewise 
planted upon the IV Castles. The gate at Coeksyde, 
which is to be shutte every night, was now made, and 
the great platefrom by the gate at the Hawe, and the 
wall near the same conteyning 257 fote, was now newly 
made. Two demy-culver ins and two whole culverins 
of iron mounted at the Barbican and bulwarks.” “Don 
Antonio, illegitimate nephew of the King of Portugal, 
arrived at Plymouth with Sir Francis Drake. He lived 
as a refugee at Mount Edgcumhe. The plague still at 
Plymouth, the mayor being in consequence, again 
elected on Catdown.” 

1590.—Walter Pepperill, Mayor. “ About this time 
divers platforms on the Hoe began to be methodized 
into a regular fortification, which was afterward the 
Fort of Plymouth.” It is said that in this year, and 



PETITION TO QUEEN ELIZABETH. 


125 


not in of tlie preceding one, it was that the town 
agreed with Sir Francis Drake to bring in the water 
of the river Mewe or Move, “ which being in length 
about 25 myles, he with great care and diligence, 
effected and brought the river into the town the 24th 
day of April then next after. Presently after he 
sett in hand to build six great mills, two at Widey in 
Egg Buckland parish, the other four by the towne; 
the two at Widey and the two next the towne he 
fullie finished before Michaelmas next after, and ground 
corn with them.” 

1591.—John Spark, Mayor. “In December, 1590, 
Sir Francis Drake began on the rivulet, and brought 
it into the town 25 miles, the 24th of April following, 
* and before Michaelmas he built six mills, two at Widey 
and four at the town, also divers conduits.” “ The 
Earl of Cumberland brings a rich carrick into Dart¬ 
mouth; another account says Plymouth.” Provisions 
very dear this year; peas and beans in their cods 12s. 
a bushell; at Whitsunday, for a heifer that had newly 
calved £6 6s. 8c/., i.e. 19 nobles. 

“Copy of a petition to Queen Elizabeth from the 
Mayor and Inhabitants, touching the Fort then 
erecting here, 33, Elizabeth, 1591.— 

“Most gracious Sovereign, we your Majestic’s most 
humble subjects, being neither worthy of that most 
princely love, and gracious care, your sacred Majesty 
ever hath had of the good preservation both of our 
Towne, and of ourselves, nor yet being able to deserve 
the same, doe most humbly pray the Everlasting, 




126 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


everlastingly to continue your Majesty most prosperous 
and flourishing estate. And whereas (most gracious 
Sovereigne) it hath been adjudged by men of good 
sufficiencies that the finishing of the Fold here, will 
stand your Majesty, or any other that shall undertake 
to accomplish the same, at the least rate, viij cli) and 
that the intertaynement of a commander, with his 
band of 100 men, for the guard of the same, will 
amount unto little leass than vij cli. by the yeare. We 
your humble subjects in regard of your Majestie’s 
service, and the preservation of our own libertie, will 
undertake as well to finish the Forte, at our own 
charges, as also to maintayne a well experyenced 
commander, with a sufficient garrison in the same, 
so it will please your Majestie to give unto us but 
viij cli. towards the perfecting of the same Forte, 
with some munition, artillerie, and powder, nowe at 
first, and to grant unto us the whole impost of the 
pilchards, with allowance of vj cli. yearly, out of your 
customes here or elsewhere, towards the intertayn- 
ment of our garrison and commander, whom we most 
humblie crave maie be Mr. Arthur Champernowne, 
your Majestie’s servant, a gentleman well known to 
your Majesty and their honnors, whom we desire to 
be under us commander, as well in respect that himself 
with his dearest friends and himself, are our nerest 
neighbours, whose sufficicncie in martial affaires is well 
known unto us; as also because he is both very neigh 
allyed unto the best of Devon and Cornwall, and 
likewise is well-beloved of them and the rest of our 
countrie, which said causes may be the better means 
to draw the gentleman and countrie forces more 


RENEWAL OF CHARTER. 


127 


speedy repair unto our succour (next under God and 
your Majesty,) depends the only preservation and 
defence of our Towne and ourselves, from the force 
and violence of an obstinate and forceible enemy, 
against whom the Fort can defend but itself, and not 
our Towne. 

“Thus most humbly submitting our Towne, goodes, 
and lives unto your Majestic’s due and most gracious 
consideration, we rest your Majesty, loyal and obedient, 
the Maior and poor inhabitants of the Town of Ply¬ 
mouth.” 

* 

1592. —John Gear, Mayor. “ The fort built on the 
Hoe Cliffs.” Sir Francis Drake and Eobert Bassett, 
Esq., Members for Plymouth. 

1593. —John Phillips, Mayor. “ The gallery was 
begun in the Old Church about this time. The cage 
of five new bells were cast for Plymouth Church in the 
Workhouse. Four gates set up in the town.” “ This 
yere the two judges of the circuit came hither to see 
the town and were honourably entertayned.” 

“A letter from the Lords of the Council to the 
Customers, and Officers of the Customs here, not to 
take entries until the impositions on pilchards be 
paid.— 

“ To all Customers, Comptrollers and all others, 
officers of the several Portes of Devon and Cornwall. 

“Whereas we are sensiblie informed that the intended 
Fortifications at Plymouth, being thought verie requisit 
speedily unto our reliefe, in time of danger, whose 




128 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


and needful, for the better defence of the western parts 
of Devon and Cornwall, against any attempt to be 
made by the enemy, are of late greatly hindered and 
slack, by reason that the customs on pilchards was not 
paid the last year, at any other port than at Plymouth, 
as was meant and required by Her Majesty’s com¬ 
missioners, and other lords in this hehalfe ernestlie 
writen; the strangers and others usualie repairing to 
such portes to take in their loading, where they might 
pas customs free, to the great prejidice of that Towne 
of Plymouth, and the hindrance of Her Majestie cruise 

in the.of that country; for the better preventing 

whereof Her Majestie, having now granted to the 
finishing of this Fortification, under the great seall of 
this realm, the benefit of the customs of the pilchards 
of those western partes; we have thought it very 
expedient, hereby to require and charge you the 
Customers, and other the officers of the portes of 
Devon and Cornwall, verie strictlie in Her Majestie’s 
name, not to take or suffer any entries of pilchards to 
be taken or made, at any the portes, breaks or places 
under your several jurisdictions until theis impositions 
be severally paid. Put from time to time to use your 
best endeavours for the speedy collecting thereof, 
according to the tenor of the said grant, and other 
former, that this work may be speedily finished, to 
Her Majestie’s good liking. So requiring you to take 
knowledge hereof by this bearer, and to see the pre¬ 
mises duly performed at your peril; we bid you fare¬ 
well. From the Court at Windsor Castle, the xxij 
day of August, 1593. (Signed) — W. Burghly, Essex, 
Howard, Po. Cecyll, J. Willey, Htjxsdox. 



LETTER FROM SIR FRANCIS BRAKE. 


129 


1*594.—George Barnes, Mayor. “Sir Francis Drake 
and Sir John Hawkins went to the West Indies, with 
33 sayle of shippes and pinnaces, and both died in the 
journey. Sir Nicholas Clifforde slaine. The fort which 
the Spaniards made at Croyden by Brest, taken and 
rased by Sir John Norris, Knight, Generali of the 
Army e. 77 


The following is a letter from Sir Francis Drake, 
respecting some building near the Fort, 36, Elizabeth, 
20th January, 1594.— 


“After my verie heartie comendations unto you all, 
you shall understand that touching the matter between 
your Towne and Mr. Strode, Mr. Sparke hath done as 
much therein, as if many more of you had been there, 
could possibly have been done; for he hath not onlie 
stood in answeare of the cause at the Councill Board, 
but he also laboured all the cheife lords aparte, and 
yet upon examination of the matter, the lords said 
they saw no great reason to prohibit him to build upon 
his own lande, and to have the benefit of the lawc. 
Notwithstanding upon Mr. Sparke’s earnest allegations 
to the contrarie, their lordships considered to grant a 

comission to be directed unto the judges of. 

to Sir John Gilbert, myselfe and some others, to 
the end we maie consider whether it be lawful and 
expedient to have any building between the two forts, 
and it be thought allowable, they are to lymitt how 
far into the water the same shall extend. For your 
other matter of the fort (which in my opinion) doth 
concerne you much neerer, doubt not but whilst I am 





130 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


here I shall stoppe itt, which in four or five days I 
shall be able to write you thereof more at large; and 
then if you sende some bodie up to sollicyte your suit 
in that bchalfe, whilst Sir John Hawkins and myselfe 
are here together, I surely hope to get the government 
confirmed in the Towne; and soe in haste doe bid you 
heartilie farewell, from Howgate, the 20th January, 
1594. 

Your assured lovinge friende, 

Fran. Drake.” 

1595.—James Dagg, Mayor. This year is especially 
memorable in the annals of Devonshire by the death 
of its two greatest admirals, Sir Francis Drake and 
Sir John Hawkins, who both died of sickness and 
vexation in the course of their very unsuccessful 
expedition to Spanish America. Having previously 
given a portrait of Drake, we now on the next page add 
that of Hawkins, who was as brave and good a seaman 
as Elizabeth or any other sovereign possessed.* He was 
father of another brave admiral, Sir Eichard Hawkins. 
“ The expedition under the Earl of Essex, for Cadiz; 
they sail from hence viz. Plymouth, in June, 1595.” 
“ This yere the Earl of Essex, my Lord Admirall and 
many other earls, knights, gentlemen, and others, took 
Cadiz in Spain, ryflled the town, and burnt some part of 
itt, also set on fyer a fleete of shippes, there ryding at 
anchor, whereof one was the Saint Phillip, Admyrall 
of Spayne, and brought away two of the Kinge’s 

* For these portraits, from that truly admirable work the “Comprehensive History 
of England,” we are indebted to the courtesy of Messrs. Blackie and Son, as we are 
also for that of the Spanish Armada. Of the “ Comprehensive History of England,” 
it is impossible to speak too highly. It is a truly admirable work. 



131 


TOWN FORTIFIED, AND GATES MADE. 

great sliippes, viz.—the Saint Mathewe and the Saint 
Andrewe ; also many were knighted by the Earle; 
and in this yere the Spannyards won Callys from the 



ADMIRAL SIR JOHN HAWKINS. 

From the “ Heroolgia.” 

Frenche. Sir Ferdinando Gorges appointed eaptaync 
of the fort.” 

1596.—Humphrey Fownes, Mayor. Wheat sold at 
30-s. per bushel!, Plymouth measure ; and barley, 12.5. 
The gallery finished and the churchyard enclosed. 

“ The Maior and others of the Town’s Men to the 
Towne’s use, brought fower Shippes laden with rye 
out of Danske, to the great comfort and raleyffe, not 
onlye of the Town’s people, but also of the counties of 









132 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


Devon and Cornwall, wlio came from the furthest parts 
of Devon for the same.” “ Sundrie parts of the town 
fortified with Barracks and the Gates made.” “ Wheat 
10s., 12s., 15s.; barley 8s., 12s. 6c/.; oats 3s. 8c/. The 
Earl of Bath, by order from the council, fixed at Barn¬ 
staple a standard price. Any one selling above this 
price to suffer duress.”—(Yonge’s Diary). 

“To all Christian people to whom this present wryt- 
ynge shall come.—The Maior and Connnonaltie of the 
Bourroughe of Plymmouthe sende greeting; know ye 
vs the said Maior and Commonaltie for dyverse causes 
vs movynge to have bargayned, solde, assigned, sett 
over and departed with, and by theise presents do 
bargayne, selle, assigne, sett over and departe with 
to John Sparke of Plymmouthe, Merehaunte, and his 
assignes, all suche goodes, cattails, and chattalls as 
sometyme were the proper goodes, cattails and chattalls 
of Willy am Sparke of Plymmouthe, Merehaunte, and 
by vs latelie seazed on as goodes forfeited, and soe to 
vs accrewynge by means that the said William Sparke 
was lately outelawed, and in that state yet standeth, 
together with all other righto, estate, title, and intereste 
of in and to the premises, and all deeds and wrytynges 
which concerne the same. To have and to holde to the 
said John Sparke, his executors and assignes, in as 
large and ample manner to all ententes as we mighte, 
oughte, or shoulde enjoyed the same if these presents 
had never been made. In witness whereof we the said 
Maior and Commonaltie have hereunto sett our Comon 
Seale. Dated the xiij daie of Julie, in the nyne and 
thirtyeth yere of the raigne of our Soueraigne Lady 




BEQUEST BY SIR JOHN HAWKINS. 


133 


Elizabeth, by the Grace of Godd of Englande, France, 
and Irelande, Qneene, Defender of the Faith.” 

1597. —John Trelawney, Mayor. Warwick Ilele and 
William Stafford, Members for Plymouth. The conduit 
at Foxhole Quay built. “ This yere Callys delivered 
agayne to the French King by composition, and all 
other towns which the Spannyards had in France. In 
Tiverton, 300 liowses, and in Barnstaple, 30, burnt. 
Many souldiers shipped out of this port into Irelande.” 

1598. —John Blithman, Mayor. James Bagg and 
William Stallenge, Merchants, Members for Plymouth. 
“ Martin White was elected mayor, but he dying, John 
Blithman succeeded him. This year our west country 
were apprehensive of the Spaniards, and therefore 
made gates, barricadoes, etc., and had 4,000 men and 
some horse, under command of the Earl of Bath.” 

“This yere a grete rebelly on in Irelande by the Earle 
of Tyrone, the Earle of Essex being there, but could 
not suppress them; many gallant gentlemen, knightes 
and others slayne, and fower hundred souldiers shipped 
from this port into Ireland.” “The Earle of Bathe 
and his forces remayned here about three weeks, and 
were all lodged and entertayned to the great comforte 
and encouragement of the towne and country, who (if 
itt pleased God that the enemye should land) were 
then ready and willing to fighte.” 

The following letter relates to a bequest made to 
the town by Sir John Hawkins:— 

“A letter from the Town Council to the Kecorder, 
Mr. Sergeant Ilele.” 





134 


in STORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


u Eight Worshipful, after our heartie commendation, 
Sir John Hawkyns, Knight, deceased, (as we under- 
stande) by his last will and testament, gave unto the 
poor of the Towne of Plymouthe, fiftie pounds in 
monie, and an annual rente of tenne poundes, issuinge 
and goinge out of his lands in Plymouthe, for ever. 
We understande also by Mr. Hughe Yaughan, who is 
one of them that is putt in truste, to see the said will 
performed, that there shall be some course taken for 
the payment of the monie, and assurance to be given 
for the said annuytie, who wished us to appoint one to 
be unite with them this terme for the same. Where¬ 
upon we have appointed this bringer, Matthew Boys 
to attende theym therein, and withall, given him 
directions to take your worship’s orders in all things, 
that he shall doe in that behalfe, whom we praie you 
likewise to aide and assist as the cause shall require, 
and we will reste moste thankful unto your worshipe 
for the same. So wishing your worshipe all healthe 
and prosperitie, most heartilie take our leave. Ply¬ 
mouthe the xxvth daie of January, 1598. 

Your worship’s loving friend, 

John Blytheman, Maior 
of Plymouthe, and his brethren.” 

1599.—Bichard Hitchings, Mayor. “A new charter 
granted, the quondam Mayor to be justice of peace the 
following year.” “ This yere a petition was delivered 
to Her Majestie by the hand of Julius Ceesar, one of 
the Masters of Request for the renewing of our charter, 
and that the Mayor should be of the quorum, and his 
immediate predecessor in office, justice of peace for the 



RENEWAL OF CHARTER. 


135 


year following, with some other additions, which Her 
Majestie most graciouslye graunted, and willed it to 
be delivered to my Lord Keeper and Her Majestie’s 
Attorney to draw the booke.” “ My Lord Maior’s 
sonne, of London, named Anthony Mosley, bought a 
small number of liydes (within our liberties) of another 
Londoner, which our escheator seized, and uppon 
request made by sondrie of his friendes, being a 
townesman, he had his hydes again for the fyne of 
fyve poundes.” 66 One Francis Parrott and Abraham 
Colmer, of London, Merchants, had likewise certayne 
gynger seized by the escheator, as forren boughte and 
forren solde, and uppon like entreatie, hadd it delivered 
backe for a fyne of tenne pounds.” 

“ A great controversie risen through wrongs offered 
to the town by Mr. Crymas’s touching the river.” 

1600.—Thomas Pain, Mayor. “ Twenty-two chests 
of Pope’s bulls, pardons, etc. burnt in Plymouth 
Market-place, the loth of December, by order from 
Her Majestie’s High Commissioners for ecclesiastical 
purposes.” 

u This yere our charter was renewed with some 
farther addytions then were before contayned in the 
said charter, amongst which, the precedent Maior shall 
be a justice of the peace that yere next following his 
maioralty, and the Maior and Eecorder for the time 
being to be of the quorum.” The charter here alluded 
to, as granted by Queen Elizabeth, confirmed all the 
previous charters, and gave the following privileges:— 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 



“ Firstly—That the Mayor and Becorder, and last 
Mayor, if living, to he justices of the peace within the 
precincts of the said borough, and two of them, whereof 
the Mayor or Becorder be one, to enquire of, and 
punish all offences, except murder, felony, or any other 
matter which concerns loss of life or member, and that 
none other justice of the peace enter or meddle with 
any offences arising there. 

“ Secondly—To have all fines, forfeitures, amercia¬ 
ments, and issues, lost or forfeited within the said 
borough, to their own use without let or accompt to be 
given. 

u Thirdly—To have a prison and gaol there to keep 
such as should happen to be taken, attached, or appre¬ 
hended for any offences, contempts or delinquencies, so 
that such prisoners as the Mayor, Becorder, or the 
Mayor’s last predecessor could not reasonably deliver, 
might be delivered by the justices of assize according 
to the law. 

“ Fourthly—To make as many Burgesses as they 
should think fit, and the Mayor and Commonalty, or the 
major part of them, to meet together in the Guildhall 
and thereto counsel, confer and advise of all statutes, 
articles and ordinances, which might concern the said 
borough and good government thereof, according to 
their directions. 

“ Fifthly—That the Mayor and twelve of the chief 
Burgesses or Magistrates, or the major part of them, 
calling to them four and twenty more of the better 
and discreetest merchants or free inhabitants of the 
said borough, if they would be present with the assent 
of the Mayor and major part of the 12 Magistrates 







RENEWAL OE CHARTER. 


lo l 

and merchants aforesaid, to have power to make such 
laws, statutes, ordinances, and constitutions, which in 
the discretions of them, or the major part of them, 
should he thought good, profitable, wholesome, honest, 
and necessary for the government of the said borough 
and inhabitants thereof, and for declaring in what 
manner and order they should behave and govern them¬ 
selves, and otherwise for the better victualling of the 
said borough, and disposing or granting of the lands 
and hereditaments, granted or given or thereafter to be 
given or granted to the said Mayor and Commonalty, 
and all other things and causes concerning the said 
borough, state rights or intents thereof, and the same 
laws to alter or confirm, if cause require, and to impose 
or levy such fines or penalties by corporal punishment 
or amerciament upon such delinquents as should break 
those laws, as they should think meet, and the same to 
levy by distress or actions of debt to their own use; so 
as the said laws and constitutions should not be con¬ 
trary to the laws, statutes, customs, or rights of the 
realm of England. 

“ Sixthly—To choose and name officers, such and so 
many for the better government of the said borough, 
as they should think fit, as formerly they had done. 

“ Seventhly—That no foreigner, not being a burgess 
of the said borough, should sell any wares or merchan¬ 
dizes within the said borough other than in gross, or 
in the time of fairs and markets as they had formerly 
used, and the same merchandize and victuals not to be 
sold before they were placed and set in the public and 
usual places for buying and selling there. 

u Eighthly—The said Mayor and his successors to 




138 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


be Clerk of the Market within the borough, and do and 
execute all things thereunto belonging as theretofore. 

u Ninthly—The Mayor for the time being, to be 
escheater within the precincts of the said borough, 
during his mayoralty, and to do and execute all that 
belongs to the office, but to take his corporal oath before 
the old Mayor, for the well executing the offices of 
clerk of the market and esclieator before he execute 
the said offices, as was formerly used in the same 
borough, so that no escheator might come there but in 
default of the Mayor. 

“ And all liberties, customs, privileges, immunities, 
etc., which the said Mayor and Commonalty have ever 
received, either by the grant of the former Kings, etc., 
or by whatsoever other lawful means, right, custom, 
use, prescription, or title theretofore held, used and 
accustomed.” 

1601.—William Parker, Mayor. “Smart’s Quay 
built. A great East India carrick prize, sunk between 
the Island and main.” u Sir Kichard Hawkins returns 
from the South Sea, where he had been kept a prisoner 
eight or nine years by the Spaniards.” 

“ This yere Sir Richard Luson went out of this 
harborough, the 13th of March, with YI of Her 
Majestie’s shippes and two others made ready to 
folio we, which did so, and on the 23rd of June, 
1602, he arrived here with a carricke that he had 
taken, which came out of the East Indies, laden with 
commodities of that country, and in March followinge 
was sonke between the Island and the mavne.” 



KING JAMES AT PLYMOUTH. 


139 


1G02.—John Martin, Mayor. The conduit at East 
Gate built and also that at the Barbican. “King 
James of Scotland, on the last day of March, 1G02, 
was proclaimed at the Market Crosse here in Plymouth, 
to be King of England, which proclamation was read 
by Sergeant Hele, our late Queen’s Sergeant-at-Lawe, 
and was proclaimed by John Luxton, our Town Clarke, 
at which time here was great triumphe with bonfires, 
gunnes, and ringing of bells, with other kind of 
musieke.” 

1603. —Sir Bichard Hawkins, Mayor. Sir Bicliard 
Hawkins and James Bagg, Merchants, Members of 
Parliament for Plymouth. The Plymouth Garrison 
expenses amounted to <£2 16s. per diem, or <£1,022 per 
annum. 

1604. —Walter Mathews, Mayor. “This Mathews 
was servant to Sir Bichard, as was his wife to the Lady 
Hawkins, who disdaining to sit below one that had 
been her maid, endeavoured to keep the upper hand, 
which the other attempting, the lady struck her a box 
on the ear. It made great disturbance, at length it 
was composed, and Sir Bichard gave the town a house 
somewhere in Market-street for satisfaction.” 

“This yere the Maior buylded a newe cundict by 
the great tree at Brittayne-side, at his own costs and 
charges.” 

“Anno Domini 1604, was the greatest pestilence in 
London ever known or heard of by any man living. 
There died above 3,000 weekly. The pestilence 
reached to Exeter.” 




140 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


1605.—James Bagg, Mayor. “The King of Denmark 
cometh into England. The Guildhall of Plymouth built 
by the town and the Old Shambles.” An Admiralty 
Court was held on the Barbican quay. 

The erectiou of the Guildhall and the Flesh Shambles 
were commenced this year by the town.—“The charges 
of building the Guildhall and Flesh Shambles, and for 
redeeming of Thomas Sanders and Miles Waterford’s 
two houses, by the Church Stile, amount in all to 
£794 8s. 0 d” ‘ 


“ The Guildhall was erected on arches, under which, 



THE OLD GUILDHALL. 

As it existed at the end of last century, 'from an old view). 


mid around the building, the butter and poultry market 

















PLYMOUTH GUILDHALL. 


141 


was held, and in an enclosed court behind it were 
collected the corn market and the vegetable market to 
the great annoyance of all passengers, there being on 
the market days scarcely a possibility of passing, and 
great was the clamour and dire the confusion that 
prevailed. But to return to the edifice, the Hall was 
ascended by a flight of seventeen steps, and hence arose 
a local bye-word—if any one was acting illegally either 
by the commission of any crime, or the incurrence of 
debt, it was said that he would soon ascend the 
seventeen steps. The open stair-case was in a tower 
which projected into the street and rendered it 
extremely narrow; over the landing place was a Council 
chamber, (which will be presently referred to,) and 
this was surrounded by a cupola containing a clock. 

u On entering the Hall, at the western end of it 
were erected the seats for the Mayor and other Magis¬ 
trates, and various members of the Corporation, and 
outside the bar the remainder of the Hall was left open 
for the inhabitants. At the eastern end of it another 
stair-case led to the Council chamber which was a small 
room partly over the Hall and partly in the tower. In 
this room, the deliberative meetings of the 12 and 
24 took place, and here too, unfortunately, were the 
archives of the corporate body kept in a place unfit for 
their preservation. Out of the Hall, at the western end 
was the entrance to the debtor’s prison, and beyond it 
another apartment where criminals were confined, or 
detained prior to commitment for any heinous offence ; 
below, and entered by the side of the steps were two 
dungeons, one called the clink, whose reputation has long 
survived its existence, and children are still told they 



142 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


shall be sent to the clink as a place of terror. The other 
prison was a low room for the confinement of all offenders, 
having free intercourse with the passers-by. Such was 
the “Old Guildhall” and it appendages. One custom 
that prevailed, on which some of the old inhabitants 
still love to dwell in their reminiscences of olden times, 
was this—the space under the Hall was duly cleaned 
after the market on Saturday evening, in order to pre¬ 
pare it as a fit promenade for all that was dignified and 
powerful in the corporate body on the Sunday morning, 
prior to their attendance at public worship. Here 
under each arch stood an halberdier with his ensign of 
office extended, whilst the dignified great ones paced 
up and down until the wonted signal was given for the 
procession to form itself.” In 1800 the “ Old Guildhall ” 
was taken down. In the lapse of the two centuries, 
from the time of its erection, “many eminent men must 
have made their appearance in the Old Guildhall, and 
some important events must have taken place : in that 
building, the contest between the Freeholders and the 
select body must have taken place at the Restoration 
in 1660; again, at the Revolution in 1688. And 
there was the Prince of Orange’s declaration read in 
December, and it is recorded in the Corporation Books 
that Plymouth was the first town that declared for 
Iving William. We have to lament, that at its 
demolition in 1800, more care was not taken of the 
papers and documents belonging to the corporate body, 
for large piles of papers were indiscriminately thrown 
into heaps prior to tlieir removal to the Mayoralty 
House in Woolster-street, which was temporally used 
as a Guildhall, and a great many documents were then 



NAVAL PK0CLAMATI0N. 


143 


lost to the body, although some of them still remain 
in the hands of individuals.”* 

1606.—William Downame, Mayor. An extreme 
dearth of corn. Hay was sold this present winter in 
some places 2s. 6d. for 32 ft. The price of hay, taking 
into account the value of money, was extremely 
high, £8 14s. per ton, or nearly the value of three 
fat bullocks, in 1643.” The snow this winter was- 
greater than before known at Plymouth. 

“ April 4th, 1606, there came down a commission 
from London, directed to Sir William Strode, Sir Bich¬ 
ard Champernowne, Sir Warwick Ileale, Sir Amys 
Bonvile, Sir J ohn Aclande, Ivnights; Mr. Seamor, 
High Sheriff of Devon; Mr. Pole, Mr. William Wal- 
rond, Dr. Edward Prideaux, Mr. Bichard Beynell, &c., 
Esquires; and to any two of them, to inquire what 
lands the recusants in Devon stood seized of, and also 
for the levying of the arrearages of all such fines as 
are behind and unpaid in Queen Elizabeth’s time.” 

“The 22nd April, being Easter Tuesday, there came 
down from London a proclamation, the effect whereof 
was that all such ships as were of South Britain should 
carry a red cross; the North part a white cross. The 
red cross was Saint George’s cross, and the white, 
Saint Andrew’s cross. These were to be respectively 
displayed in the fore-top. These two crosses united 
were to be borne in the main-top by the subjects of 
Great Britain. Could we but personify the Union 

* South Devon Museum. 




144 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


Jack, what feelings of degradation must we ascribe to 
it at that period,—pirates and Algerine corsairs in the 
channel, and our tars kept out of their pay and 
poisoned with had victuals ! The poursuivants were 
sent with the proclamations to the different ports.” 

1607. —Bobert Trelawney, Mayor. “A prodigious 
snow fell. March, 1607.—This winter last past hath 
been such an extreme one for frosts, as no man living 
ever doth remember, or can speak of the like.” 

“May 31st.—The first settlers of Kew England, 
(Puritans) more than 100 in number sailed from Ply¬ 
mouth in two ships, and landed at the mouth of the 
river Kewnebec, then called the Sagadahoc, Aug. 11th, 
on the north-east coast of America. The spot they 
selected for a residence was',on Parker’s Island, where 
they raised a fortification called Port Saint George. 
They brought two natives from England with them, 
who procured them a cordial welcome from the different 
tribes. In the December following, the ships sailed 
for England, leaving 45 persons hut their hard fare, 
the severity of a Kewnebec winter, the burning of 
their store, and the death of their president, Popliam, 
so discouraged them, that with the next vessel which 
arrived, they all returned to England. So rose and 
fell the first colony on this coast, within the compass 
or a year.”* 

1608. —Thomas Sherwill, Mayor. “An extreme 
dearth of corn happened this year, by reason of extreme 
frosts (as the like were never seen) the winter going 

* Nettleton’s M.S. Collection. 







APPOINTMENT OF TOWN CLERK. 



before, which caused much corn to fall away ; so that 
many did sow barley where their wheat was sown be¬ 
fore, thinking their wheat would never come to good. 
This year were very many tempestuous winds.” 

1600.— John Battersby or Buttersby, Mayor. 
“ Extreme wet causeth the price of all kinds of 
corn to be somewhat high, although great plenty— 
the like seldom seen—in ground which by reason of 
much wet weather, was much hurt; scarce any corn 
saved this year without great hurt. All kind of corn 
did grow in stack, and much cast away and spoiled. 
Oats were obliged to be turned some four or five 
times, before it could be saved.”—(Yonge’s Diary). 


1610. 

-Thomas Fownes, 

Mayor. 

1611. 

-John Trelawney, 

Mayor. 

1612. 

-John Waddon, 

Mayor. 

document 

is interesting as 

giving 


The following 


major part of the Corporation, which, at this time, 
consisted of the Mayor u and the Twelve and Twenty- 
four.”— 


“ XXIIII die Auguste, 1612.—It was ordered by 
the Mayor and his brethren and the XXIIll in the 
Guildhall assembled, that Mr. Fowell elected Town 
Clarke for this borough, shall liolde the same in as 
ample manner as Matthewe Bays, (or Boys) late used 
and lielde the same notwithstanding any acte, order 
or decree heretofore made to the contrarire:— 

F 2 












146 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


Jno. M. Docke. 

Nicholas Sperwill. 

John Trelawney. 

Thomas Wolridge. 

Janies Bayg. 

William Gill. 

Walter Mathew. 

Thomas Sherwill. 

Nicholas Blake. 

John Bound. 

The sign x of John Jope. 
Richard Breamlin. 

Abraham Colmedy. I 

William 


John Waddon, Maior. 
John Blytheman. 
William Hitchins. 
Rowland Brandsforth. 
Robert Trelawney. 
Robert Rawlyn. 

John Crobeli. 

Jno. Buttersby. 

Jno. Clement. 

William Mall. 

William. 

Leonard Pomeroy. 
John Predio. 

Precy. 


1613.—John Scobbell, Mayor. A great snow at 
Plymouth. u The Devonshire gentry and tradesmen 
rode and walked in company for protection, to the 
metropolis. The judges rode the circuit on horseback, 
and one of them was censured for being so ill attired, 
that he looked more like a clothier than a judge. Sir 
Simonds D’Ewes himself rode to London from Coxden 
Hall, near Axminster, in 1613, and attributes his safe 
arrival in the metropolis to God’s goodness, for he had 
one servant only with him. A principal member of the 
Corporation of Lyme was allowed 65 . Sd. a day when 
travelling ; 4s. a day when in London. A Member of 
Parliament had about £10 allowed him for his residence 
and travelling.” 

The charter of King James, dated the 4th Nov., in 
this year, is a recital of Queen Elizabeth’s charter in 






147 


HOSPITAL OF poop’s POPTION. 

the same words, and a confirmation of the same, and 
of the charters of Queen Mary, Edward YI, Henry 
A III, Henry VII, and Henry YI, and grants no 
further privileges to the borough. 

/ 

1614. —John Clement, Mayor. John Glanville and 
Thomas Sherwill, Members for Plymouth. “December 
16th.—This day the ministers of this diocese were 
called before the Bishop of Exon, who read letters 
from the Archbishop, the effect of which were that 
every minister should exhort his parishioners to con¬ 
tinue together the Sabbath day, and not to wander to 
other preachers, who have better gifts than their own 
pastors, but should content themselves with the word 
of God read, and homilies. (2)—That all should 
kneel at the receiving of the Sacrament. (3)—To 
declare unto their parishioners that it is not necessary 
to have the word preached at the Sacraments.” — 
(Yonge’s Diary). 

1615. -—Abraham Colman, Mayor. The foundation 
of the Hospital, west from the steeple, laid, called the 
Workhouse, or “Hospital of the Poor’s Portion.” 

1616. —Bobert Trelawney, Mayor. “October.—A 
man at Littleham in Devon, was murdered in his 
house by four of his neighbours coming to rob him. 
They having killed him, set his house on fire and 
burned him in his house ; all his body was consumed 
and burned, except that side where he was wounded, 
•which was neither burned, nor his clothes scorched 
with any fire, a wonderful judgment of God against 
murder.” 








148 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


1617.—Thomas Sherwell, Mayor. “ Poconitas, an 
American Princess, arrives at Plymouth.” “ She 
afterwards dies in England; her child was taken 
charge of by Stukeley.”—(Smiths, Virginia). 

This year at the begining of April, Sir Walter 
Ealegh sailed from the Thames, on his last, and truly 
unfortunate expedition. His fleet consisted of seven 
vessels, the aggregate burthen of which was 1,215 
tons. At Plymouth he was joined by four more vessels 
under the respective commands of Captains Sir John 
Feme, Lawrence Kemys (the explorer of 1596, and 
faithful friend of Ealegh in the Tower years), Wollas¬ 
ton, and Chudleigh. A carvel and two fly-boats also 
joined him at Plymouth. One of the latter was com¬ 
manded by a man whose name, Bayley, is one to be 
branded with every oprobrioum, as a deserter, a false 
swearer, and a rascal of the worst kind. In this 
disastrious voyage, Ealegh was made the victim of 
treachery, and met with many losses and troubles, one 
of the greatest of which was the death of his son, who 
fell gallantly fighting, at the hands of the Spaniard 
Erinetta, who beat him down with his musket. 


The following is a copy of the grant of Sutton 
Pool, by Prince Charles for 21 years, at a yearly 
rent <£13 6s. 8d. 

“ This Indenture made the six and twentieth day of 
November, in the year of the reign of our Sovereign 
Lord James, by the grace of God of England, Scotland, 
Prance and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, etc.. 



GRANT OF SUTTON FOOL. 


!49 


tliat is to say of England France and Ireland the 

C' 

fifteenth, and of Scotland the one and fiftieth, between 
the most excellent Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, 
Duke of Cornwall and of York, and Earle of Chester, 
of the one part, and John Sparke and John Howell 
of Plymouth, in the county of Devon, Esqres., of the 
other part, witnesseth that the said most excellent 
Prince, for and in consideration of the yearly rent, or 
sum hereafter in these presents specified, and for divers 
other causes and considerations His Highness there¬ 
unto moveing, hath granted, and to farm left, and in 
and by these presents doth grant, and to farm lett, 
unto the said John Hawken and John Howell, all that 
the Water and Pool of Sutton, in the countye of 
Devon, parcel of the possessions of His Highnesses 
Duchie of Cornwall, together with the profits of the 
same hereafter in these presents particularly men¬ 
tioned ; that is to say anchorage and keyladge of every 
shipp entering within the said poole or touching 
land there, mesurage or busheladge of every shippe 
entering within the poole aforesaid, freighted with any 
kind of corn or grain, malt, cole, salt, or such like, 
and unladed there, lashadge of every shipp unladed 
within the poole aforesaid, the fyne of twelve pence 
yearly upon every fish-boat taking fish as coming into 
the said water and poole, and pottage, to weete all 
such fynes of fish as shall be agreed for by and 

between the said.and the said John Sparke 

and John Howell, or their assigns, and also all sumes 
of money and other fees, duties and profits to or for 
the said anchorage, keyladge, measurage or busheladge, 
lashadge, fines of fisher-boats and pottage due, and 



150 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


payable or belonging and appertaining thereunto, 
(excepted, and out of this present demise, always 
reserved to the said most excellent Prince and his 
heirs, all prisadge, butteradge, wrecks of sea and 
customes of all cloth, leather and other skynnes, petty 
customes, goods of pyrates and all other goods and 
merchandizes forfeited, and all maritimall jurisdictions 
within the water and pool aforesaid, and all other 
profits whatsoever, issuinge or cominge of or by reason 
of the said water and pool of Sutton not hereinbefore 
particularly demised,) to have and to hold the said 
water and pool of Sutton, the said anchoradge, 
keyadge, measurage or bushelage, lashage, fines for 
fisli-boats, pottage, and other the fees and dutyes to 
the premises thereinbefore mentioned, to be demised, 
together with all and singular their appurtenances 
(except before excepted) to them, the said John Sparke 
and John Howell, their executors, administrators, and 
assigns, from the feast of Saint Miclisel the Archangel, 
last past before these presents, for and during the 
terme of one and twentie years, from thence next 
ensuing, fully to be complete and ended; yielding 
and paying therefore yearly, and the said John 
Sparke and John Howell for themselves, their heirs, 
executors, administrators, and assigns, do hereby 
covenant, promise, and agree to and with the said 
most excellent Prince, his heirs and assigns, to pay 
for the premises hereby demised yearly, for the said 
term of twenty-one years, the yearly rent or sum of 
£13 65 . 8d. of good and lawful money of England, to be 
payed to His Highness’s receivor of the Duchy of Corn¬ 
wall for the tyme being, or his deputy to His Highness’s 


use att two usual feasts or tenues of the year, that is to 
say att the feasts of the Annunciation of our Lady the 
blessed Yirgyn Mary, and Saint Michael the Archangel, 
by even and equal portions. Provided always that if 
the said yearly rent or sum of £13 6-5. 8c/., shall be 
behynde, and unpaid in parte or in all by the space of 
eight and twentie days, next over or after any the 
feasts or days of payment, whereon the same is limited 
and appointed to be payed in manner aforesaid, that 
then, and from thenceforth, itt shall and may be 
lawful to, and for the said most excellent Prince, his 
heirs and assigns, with the premises hereby demised, 
and every part and parcel thereof, wholly to re-enter, 
and the same to have agayne, enjoy and reposses, as 
in his and their former state, anything herein contayned 
to the contrary thereof in anywise notwithstanding. 
And the said John Sparke and John Howell for 
themselves, their heirs, executors, administrators, and 
assigns, do hereby covenant promise and agree to and 
with the said most excellent Prince, his heirs and 
assigns, that they the said John Sparke and John 
Howell, their executors, administrators and assigns, 
during the terme hereby granted, shall not doe or 
wittingly or willingly suffer any act or thing whereby 
the haven in the water and poole aforesaid or the 
channel in the river there, may in any sort be stopt, 
impaired or dampnigfied. In witness whereof to one 
part of these presents remaining with the said John 
Sparke and John Howell, the said most excellent 
Prince hath caused His Highness’s great seale to be 
put thereunto, and to the other part of these presents 
remaining with the said Prince His Highness, the 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 



said John Sparke and John Ilowell have put their hands 
and seales the day and year first above written.” 


1G18.—Nicholas Slier well, Mayor. On the 21st of 
June, Sir Walter Ealegh, one of the worthiest of 
Devonshire’s most worthy of sons, and one of the 
worst treated and unfortunate of men, returned from 
his ill-fated expedition. Ilis ship, the Destiny , arrived 
alone. Some had deserted him, others were parted 
from him by storms, and had, like poor Captain Pen¬ 
nington’s, been seized. Sir Walter moored her in the 
harbour and instantly sent her sails on shore. Lady 
Ealegh hastened to Plymouth to meet her husband, 
and that mournful meeting—mournful through the loss 
of their son, and the other disasters of the voyage—- 
and many matters of business connected with his 
fleet kept him in Devonshire for two or three weeks. 
In the second week of July, Sir Walter and his wife 
and Captain Samuel King, one of his officers, left Ply¬ 
mouth for London. They had however but proceeded 
some twenty miles, to near Ashburton, on the skirts 
of Dartmoor, when they were met by Sir Lewis 
Stukeley, Vice-Admiral of Devon, who said to Ealegh, 
“ I have orders to arrest both you and your ships.” 
They therefore, with Stukeley, returned to Plymouth, 
where Stukeley appears to have busied himself much 
more about his own profit, from the equipments, etc., 
of the Destiny , and her cargo, than about the custody 

of the admiral. “ For nine or ten days. Sir Walter 

«/ / 

remained at the house of Sir Christopher Harris at 
Plymouth. Two or three of them passed without his 
ever setting eyes on his custodian. Those days were 




SIR WALTER RALEGH. 


153 

filled with many anxious thoughts about the future ; 
and to his own anxieties and forebodings were added 
those of a fond wife, and a faithful servant, whose one 
common care was to see him in safety from the pursuit 
of his enemies. Under the pressure of their alarms 
and entreaties, Balegh empowered Captain King to 
hire a barque that would carry them to France. 



SIR WALTER RALEGH. 

From the print in his History of the World ; Edition of 1677. 


King did this, and made the vessel ride at anchor in 
Plymouth harbour, out of gunshot of the fort. At 
midnight the two men went out in a boat, for the pur¬ 
pose of embarking. But Sir Walter was now in a great 
strait. The anxious pleadings of his wife were opposed 
to the dictates of his own judgment. On reaching 
Plymouth, his pledge to return was but half redeemed. 














154 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


She thought only of the life that was so precious to 
her. lie had to think of duty and of fame. When 
the boat was within a quarter of a mile of the French 
ship, he determined to return. Next day he sent 
orders that she should continue to lie in readiness for 
another night or two; but no further effort was made 
to go on board of her.” On the 23rd July, the Privy 
Council wrote to Stukeley, that their lordships would 
listen to no more excuses of delay.—“We command 
you upon your allegiance, that, all delays set apart, 
you do safely and speedily bring hither the person of 
Sir Walter Balegh, to answer before us such matters 
as shall be objected against him in His Majesty’s 
behalf.” 

These peremptory orders reached Plymouth on the 
25th of July, and on the same day, Stukeley, having 
previously sold the precious tobacco and other stores 
and cargo of the Destiny , set out with his noble prisoner 
for London, from Mr. Drake 7 s house, where he had been 
removed from that of Sir Christopher Harris. Weakcned 
in health by over anxieties and troubles, Balegh had 
made the acquaintance of a French physician in Ply¬ 
mouth of the name of Manourie, who he thought 
would be able to restore him to health and to beguile 
the tedium of the journey by conversation on chemistry 
and other genial subjects. He therefore engaged liis 
services, but they were turned to account against him 
by Manourie accepting, as well, from Stukeley, the office 
of spy. Presently, Balegh and his wife set their eyes 
for the last time on their much-loved Sherborne; then 
in its full summer beauty. He passed near enough to 
the park to note the growth of his plantations, and to 



SIR WALTER RALEGH. 


155 


think of the hopes, now blighted, with which every 
improvement there had been bound up.—“All this” he 
said “was mine, and it was taken from me unjustly.” 

The first night was passed before reaching Sherborne, 
at the house of Mr. Horsey; and the next, close to that 
place, either at Sir Edward Parhams or at his sons. 
The following day was continued to Salisbury, where, 
to gain time, Ealegh simulated illness. The time so 
gained lie purposely devoted to writing a true, and 
most valuable statement of the matters at Guiana, 
which he did c 4 with all the old vigour of intellect 
which neither the anguish of past bereavements, nor 
the fear of sufferings to come, was able to cloud.” 
From Salisbury the journey to London was at length 
continued, Ealegh arriving at his house in Broad-street 
on the 7th August, and on the 10th he made his final 
and fatal entrance into the Tower of London. On the 
29th of October he was beheaded, and with the fall of 
the axe, fell one of England’s noblest sons, and of her 
best and most worthy of men. 

1619. — Thomas Eownes, Mayor. A fleet sailed 
hence for Algiers. 

1620. —Eobert Eawling, Mayor. John Glanville, 
Eecorder, and Thomas Sherwell, Merchant, Members 
for Plymouth. “ Sir Eichard Hawkins is going to sea 
with twenty sail of ships; viz: six of the King’s ships, 
(two of 300 tons, 28 guns, 250 men; one of 200 tons, 
24 guns, 250 men; two of 200 tons, 22 guns, 200 men, 
each,) and fourteen ships of the merchants of London. 
(Sir Eobert Mansell afterwards took the command). It 
is reported they go against the Turks of Algiers. They 





150 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


lay about there all the winter and next spring, and 
concluded a truce for English merchants. James I 
proposed that the different Christian powers should 
unite to destroy the great piratical haunt, Algiers, and 
burn the ships there.” 

This year is especially memorable in the annals of 
Plymouth, by the sailing hence of that faithful band 
of puritans, the “ Pilgrim Fathers,” who sought on a 
foreign land that peace and liberty, which was denied 
to them in their own country. At the time when 
u the severities used against the Nonconformists had 
continued to increase, and when the ports of England 
were so closely watched that the victims could obtain 
the privilege of banishment, only at the risk of death 
or imprisonment, a congregation of Brownists, with 
their pastor, John Robinson, had effected their escape 
from England to Leyden. But they soon found that 
Holland was not their congenial home. The climate 
was unsuited to them, the mechanical occupations 
which they had to follow were unwelcome to them 
who had been accustomed to agriculture, and with the 
language and manners of the Dutch they could not 
become familiar. Though their country had cast them 
out, still they were, and would be, Englishmen; and 
they resolved to make, if they could not find, an 
England of their own—a country where they could 
follow their own mode of life, and above all, where they 
could worship God according to the dictates of their own 
conscience. Even their children and posterity were to 
be English, speaking the language of their fathers, 
and living under the dominion of the mother country; 



THE PILGRIM FATHERS. 


1 ^ > 

10 


and from this patriotic feeling, they rejected the kind 
otters of their Dutch landlords, who would have 
defrayed the expenses of the enterprise and accom¬ 
panied them to their distant place of settlement. 
Virginia was the place of their selection, because it was 
within the pale of English rule, but still sufficiently 
remote for the purposes of safety; and having obtained 
the permission of the Virginia Company in London, 
they made preparations for their departure by convert¬ 
ing their scanty property into a common stock, and 
hiring two small vessels, the Speedwell of 60, and the 
May-flower of 180 tons. “We are well weaned,” they 
said, “from the delicate milk of our mother country, 
and inured to the difficulties of a strange land. The 
people are industrious and frugal. We are knit to¬ 
gether as a body in a most sacred covenant of the 
Lord, of the violation whereof we make great con¬ 
science, and by virtue whereof we hold ourselves 
straitly tied to all care of each others goods, and of 
the whole. It is not with us as with men whom small 
things can discourage.” Such were those Pilgrim 
Fathers of the New World, who, with such defective 
means, but heavenly and heroic purpose, embarked 
upon an enterprise as- bold as that of Cortez and 
Pizarro—and with what a nobler termination ! 

Every step of this adventure, which forms so import¬ 
ant an epoch in English History, is worthy of attention, 
although we must dismiss the subject with a brief and 
passing notice. After they had resided above ten 
years in Leyden, the first embarkation commenced in 
1620. Of Eobinson’s congregations which numbered 
about 300 persons, only a minority could, in the first 



158 


HISTORY OP PLYMOUTH. 


instance, set sail, owing to the smallness of the vessels; 
but these were to act as the pioneers of the enterprise, 
and were to he followed by Bobinson and the rest, as 
soon as a settlement had been effected in Virginia, that 
had now obtained the name of Hew England. In that 
minister’s parting harangue, there was a liberality and 
greatness of sentiment seldom accorded by popular 
report to these early puritans, and which all parties of 
Christians in the present day would do well to study. 
“ The Lord has more truth yet to break forth,” he 
said, u out of His Holy Word. I cannot sufficiently 
bewail the condition of the reformed churches, which 
are come to a period in religion, and will go, at present, 
no further than the instruments of the reformation. 
Luther and Calvin were great and shining lights in 
their times, yet they penetrated not into the whole 
counsel of God. The Lutherans cannot be drawn to 
go beyond what Luther saw ; and the Calvinists, you 
see, stick fast where they were left by that great man 
of God. I beseech you remember it—’ tis an article 
of yonr church covenant—that you shall be ready to 
receive whatever truth shall be made known to you 
from the written word of God.” The vessels sailed in 
the first instance from Holland to England ; but, after 
a short stay there, the Speedwell being declared un¬ 
serviceable, the Map-flower alone held onward in its 
course, freighted with 101 passengers, consisting of 
men, women, and children; and, after a voyage of 63 
days, they landed at that part of the American Coast, 
on which they founded the Towns of Plymouth and 
Boston. Such was the foundation of the United States 
of America! A huge mass of dark grey granite was 




THE PILGRIM FATHERS. 


159 


the ground on which they first set foot as they landed; 

and before the Town Hall of Plymouth it is now 

planted, as a great national monument of the “ Pilgrim 

Fathers,’’ the founders of the American Eepublic. Sick 

and exhausted with the fatigues of the voyage, they fell 

* 

upon their knees as soon as they had reached the shore, 
and blessed the God of Heaven who had brought them 
in safety through perils and tempests, after which they 
proceeded to draw up the political constitution under 
which they were to live together as a community. It 
was as brief and simple as the germ of a great national 
contract conld well be, for it was in the following 
words:—“In the name of God, amen; we whose names 
are underwritten, the loyal subjects of our dread sover¬ 
eign King James, having undertaken for the glory of 
God, and advancement of the Christian faith, and honour 
of our King and country, a voyage to plant the first 
colony in the northern parts of Virginia, do, by these 
presents, solemnly and mutually, in the presence of God 
and one of another, covenant and combine ourselves 
together into a civil body politic, for our better order 
and preservation, and furtherance of the ends aforesaid; 
and by virtue hereof to enact, constitute, and frame 
such just and equal laws, ordinances, acts, constitutions, 
and offices, from time to time, as shall be thought most 
convenient for the general good of the colony. Unto 
which we promise all due submission and obedience.” 

It was on the 6th of September, 1620, that this 
devoted band sailed from Plymouth. By break of day 
on the 9th of the following November, they had made 
Cape Cod in Newfoundland, and on the last day of the 



I GO 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


year “ they all landed at a place which in grateful com¬ 
memoration of our town —the last town which they left 
in their native land —they called u New Plymouth.” 
u The coast upon which they landed was bleak, barren, 
and unhealthy; but this proved the only defence of 
these helpless adventurers against the tribes of wild 
Indians, who had no temptation to settle near such an 
uninviting spot. The rigours of an American winter, 
against which they were so ill prepared, came on, and 
in three months half the band of emigrants had perished, 
so that scarcely fifty survived. But though the May¬ 
flower returned to England in the following spring, not 
one of the survivors would avail himself of the oppor¬ 
tunity to quit that strand of graves and sickness. On 
the contrary they founded their little town of Ply¬ 
mouth, elected a new governor in the room of the former 
one who had died, and opened a friendly intercourse 
with the nearest tribes, of whom they became the allies 
against their enemies, the Narragansetts. On the 9th 
of November, 1621, the Fortune , a small barque, arrived 
bringing 35 new settlers, and by the same vessel the 
first export of the colony was embarked for England, 
consisting of beaver-skins, and wood of various kinds, 
to the value of A500. But the Fortune was seized 
and plundered by a French privateer, just when she 
had neared the English Coast; and, to add to the 
difficulties of the colonists, a further arrival of destitute 
emigrants nearly destroyed the whole settlement with 
famine. Even when they were reduced to their last 
pint of corn, seven new colonists arrived to share it. 
Singularly enough even while the Plymouth brethren 
were thus destitute, the spirit of English commercial 




THE PILGRIM FATHERS. 


161 


enterprise had directed its attention to Xcw England; 
and new colonists arrived upon its shores, animated with 
a different spirit from that of the Pilgrim Fathers— 
men of whose crimes or idleness their own country had 
become weary, and whose chief motive of emigration 
was the hope of gain. From the scantiness of the 
means of support, an additional settlement was neces¬ 
sary, and this originated, in 1622, the founding of the 
State of Massachusetts. Put these worthless additions, 
instead of being a help, were an incumbrance and a 
curse to their peaceful brethren; and their conduct 
toward the natives, in 1623, involved the whole colony 
in a war with the red hunters of the wilderness. While 
these events went onward, new bands of adventurers 
continued to arrive from the mother country, of a better 
character than the new colonists of Massachusetts, and 
while some were of the common tile of industrious 
enterprise, and distinguished by the old-established 
English names of George, Thomas, and Edward, there 
were others whose Puritan appelatives showed that they 
were of the same religious stock as the men of Ply¬ 
mouth; such as Elder Brewster, Manasseh Faunce, 
Christian Penn, and Experience Mitchel; Jonathan, 
Love and Wrestling, the sons, and Fear and Patience, 
the daughters of Elder Brewster. Stout of heart, and 
resolute in purpose were these comers, although the 
first step of their landing convinced them that this land 
of promise would also be one of “hope deferred.” They 
were gladly welcomed by their old friends who had 
preceded them; but “the best dish we could present 
them with” one of them writes “ is a lobster, or a piece 
of fish, without bread, or anything else, but a cup of 

G 


1C2 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


fair spring water; and the long continuance of this 
diet, with our labours abroad, has somewhat abated the 
freshness of our complexion, but God gives us health.” 
The reign of Charles I produced an immense accession 
to the population of New England, but, unfortunately, 
the new comers brought with them those religious 
differences, and that spirit of theological contention, 
which were so prevalent at that time in the mother 
country, and which culminated in disorder and con¬ 
fusion and warfare. 


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CHAPTEB V. 


ANNALS CONTINUED FROM THE YEAR 1620 TO 1680. 


1621,—Jolm Bownde, Mayor. u The 10th day of 
January, 1621-2, there were seen by the minister of 
Plymouth, in Devon, and a French minister, then 
walking on the Hoe at Plymouth, three clouds in the 
air, which clouds seemed to come and meet together. 
At them meeting one of them brake, and gave a great 
noise, as if it had been a cannon. After, the second 
brake, and gave two sounds as of two cannons. Then 
the third brake, and gave the noise as if it had been 
the noise of cannons in a set battle, with a whistling in 
the air, as if bullets had been shot out of a piece. 
There was a thunderbolt seen at Plympton to fall from 
thence into the ground, which weighed by report, 
Till lb. Sir Wm. Strode who lived at Xewnham, 
Plympton, had it.’’ 


u January—About the end of this month, the Earl 
of Oxford, the Earl of Essex and the Lord Chichester, 
with Sir Horatio Mere, were chosen to be of the King’s 
council of war; which was the first council of war in 
England.” 




164 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


1622.—Jblm Martin, Mayor. “ A great scarcity of 
money throughout the kingdom, little or no employ¬ 
ment for workmen ; scarcely any person could depend 
on the receipt of any money due to him, the whole 
country impoverished. Tradesmen complain they can¬ 
not get work to employ themselves, so that many do 
offer to work for meat and drink only. Good livers 
cannot make any shift for money, as payments were at 
this time, all made in silver and gold. The price of all 
things except corn was at a very low rate. In Exeter 
it is said there are 300 poor weavers, which go about 
the streets to crave relief by begging, because they can 
get no work, nor can the merchants sell the cloths 
when bought from them. The justices met this assizes 
12th March, to consider of some course to set people 
at work, and to prevent an insurrection. Barley was 
this year, 6s. 4 d., and wheat at 8s. the bushel.” u Order 
from the Earl of Bath from the Council, that all trained 
soldiers shall be ready at an hour’s warning, Mr. 
Drake’s companies and regiment are appointed for 
Exon. Sir Edward Seymour for Plymouth; Sir ¥m. 
Courtney and Sir Bichd. Champernown for Dartmouth 
and Totnes; Sir Bichd. Chichester for Ilfracomb.”— 
(Yonge’s Diary). 

“ Benevolence .—Two letters came down this month 
of April, directed to the Sheriff of Devon, for a 
benevolence of the laity towards the wars of the 
Palatinate, with command to deal with the substantial 
men, one by one, privately, and to return the names of 
such as obstinately refuse to give anything. The other 
letter was that the justices should call before them all 





EMBARGO ON SHIPS. 


165 


clothiers, out of which, two of the most sufficient from 
every county, should he sent to London before certain 
commissioners, appointed to enquire the cause of the 
deadness of trade, and to settle a course to revive the 
trade of clothing beyond the seas; which two clothiers 
so sent should deliver their opinions of the causes and 
reasons of the deadness of trade before the said com¬ 
missioners, so that some course may be taken for some 
redress therein.”-—(Sir W. Pole). 

u Benevolence .—Their was granted a benevolence by 
the j ustices of peace of this county, the 3rd of May, 
at Exon sessions. Mr. Parker, High Sheriff gave £40; 
Sir Harry Poles, £40; Sir Wm. Pole, £40; Sir T. 
Hrewe, £10; Mr. Drake, £10; all the rest of the 
justices gave £4 a piece, except Mr. George Chandler, 
who gave 40-5.” 

1623.—Leonard Pomory or Pomersey, Mayor. 
John Glanville, Esq., Eecorder, and Thomas. Sherwell, 
Merchant, Members for Plymouth. 

1024.—Thomas Ceely or Seeley, Mayor. “The 
States of Holland have now in Plymouth, 12 ships of 
600 or 800 tons a piece, and 13 lesser ships, in all 25, 
which are hound for the Brazil. They carry with 
them ammunition, victuals and women and children to 
furnish those with victuals, and men which took Brazil. 
Great preparations are making to go for the recovery 
thereof, and divers of the nobility go in person.” 
“An embargo on ships come down to Dartmouth, the 
merchants prohibited to carry away any fish out of the 
realm, but that it is to be reserved to furnish our navy, 



HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


IGG 

there being 60 sail of ships now preparing,—(In a 
letter from London from Mr. Drake). 

1625.—Nicholas Blake, Mayor. John Glanville, 
Esq,, Becorder, Thomas Slier well, Merchant, Members 
for Plymouth. “The King cometh to Plymouth to 
despatch a fleet. He calls a Parliament and finds great 
discontent, the Presbyterian interest prevailing so as 
to ferment the people. A great plague in Plymouth, 
of which 1,600 people died—some say 2,000.” 

“This yere the great plague raged in all this kingdom 
and of itt there died in this towne, in this yere, about 
2,000! and a publick faste through the kingdom was 
proclaimed to divert God’s judgement, which was 
observed solemnly every Wensdaye, and thereon the 
plague was stayed.” “A press sent down into Devon¬ 
shire to raise 300 men for Ireland; 500 oxen sent to 
Plymouth, for the victualling of our navy, and many 
mariners pressed, which are to be at Chatham, the 
26th April.” November, 1625.—There came a press 
into the country, at which time were up in Devon 
about 300 men; but for what service it is not known, 
but thought either to succour the estate of Holland, 
or to secure Ireland, or both.” 

“The King, Charles, came with his whole Court to 
Plymouth, and remayned here 10 days to give his 
fleete, that consisted of 120 sailes, and his army of 
6,000 men, both under the command of Edward Lord 
Cecill, Yiscount Wimbleton, theire despatch for Cadiz 
in Spayne, which they invaded.” The following inter¬ 
esting document shows the expense to which the Town 
of Plymouth was put on occasion of this royal visit. 




EXPENSES OF ROYAL VISIT. 


167 


‘"Fees due to His Majesty’s servants from the said 
Mayor, for his homage to His Majesty passing through 
his saidtowne the fiveteene day of September, 1625.— 

£ s. d. 


To the Gentlemen Ushers dayly Wayters... 
To the Gent. Ushers of the Privy Chamber 

To the S’jants. at Amies. 

To the Knight Harbinger ... 

To the Knight Marshall ... 

To the Gent. Ushers Quarter Wayters 
To the Servers of the Chamber 
To the Yeoman Ushers 
To the Groomes and Pages... 

To the Footmen 
To the fower Yeomen 
To the Porters at the Gate 
To the S’jant. Trumpetters 
To the Trumpetters 
To the Surveyor of the Wayes 
To the Yeoman of the fielde 
To the Coachmen ... 

To the Yeoman Harbingers 
To the Jester 


5 0 
5 0 
3 6 
3 


9 6 


1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

2 

2 

1 

1 

2 

1 


0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 


0 10 
0 10 
1 0 
0 10 


Summ <£33 3 


0 

0 

8 

8 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

4 


Keceived the some abovesaid, this 23rd of September, 
1625, to the use of His Majesty’s servants by mee. 

Thos. Kynnaston.” 


“A.D. 1625.—Exemp. 3rd day of May, the I of 
Charles. Thos. and Me. Shervvell, erected, founded, 
and established, the Hospitall of Orphans’ Aid; granted 










108 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


all that messuage, tenement, and courtlage, between 
the Tower and Churchyard on the East, the lands of 
the Mayor and Commonalty on the South, the lands 
of the said Sherwell’s on the South, and the lands of 
the Mayor and Commonalty’s part of the Almshouse, 
on the North; the same premises to be one Hospitall 
continuance for ever. One person to be head and 
called Governor; some other persons to be called 
Assistants; and 40 persons and under, and yet above 
the number of 3, which shall be poor persons for ever 
abiding there. The last Mayor shall be the 1st and 
modern Governor, to continue untill the death of the 
said Mayor, or choice of a new Mayor, which shall 
first happen, and so for ever. Four persons to be 
appointed as Assistants, and two to be Wardens, and 
four poor persons appointed to be the first poor people 
to be relieved in the said Hospitall; such poor people 
to be removed at pleasure. Made a body corporate 
and politick, by the name of Governor, Assistants, 
Wardens and Poor People of the Hospitall of Orphans’ 
Aid, within the Burrouglie of Plymouth in the County 
of Devon; with power to purchase; nothing to be done 
without the consent of the Mayor and Chief Burgesses, 
whereof the Mayor to be one, or the major part of 
them. The Grant etc. unto the said Governor and 
their successors for ever, of all that before recited house, 
and all those three messuages, courts, and gardens, 
and close of land, with the appurtenences, some time 
the lands of Brooking, since of Blytliman, and then in 
the tenure of Jope, Blacksmith, and all that garden 
and orchard, with the appurtenences adjoining to the 
courtlage of the said Hospitall, lying West from the 


CHARTER OF CHARLES I. 


169 


same two gardens, lying in Mud-street, in the tenure 
of Colmer, and all that messuage, tenement, etc. in 
Stilman-street, lately the lands of Fownes, another 
messuage lying in Southside, the lands of late Arthur 
Pollard, Esq., deceased, another messuage, tenement, 
and courtlage, in Southside, also the lands of Pollard, a 
close or parcell of land in a place called Lary, also 
called Pollard’s lands, two closes of land, with barns, 
houses, and stables, in Egg Buckland called Awter’s 
Well, 16 acres, also Pollards,” etc., etc. 

1626. —Thomas Sherwell, Mayor. John Glanvile, 
Esq., Becorder, and Thomas Sherwell, Merchant, 
Members for Plymouth. 

1627. —Bobert Trelawnoy, Mayor. Bobert Trelaw- 
ney dying the 7th December, Abraham Colman supplied 
the place that year. 


“The charter of King Charles I, is dated the 
3rd of March in this year. By this charter the King 
confirms the charters of King James, Queen Elizabeth, 
Queen Mary, King Edward YI, Henry YIII, Henry 
YII, and the Act of Parliament of Henry YI. 

“And grants further that the Mayor and Common¬ 
alty or their successors, should not be troubled by the 
King, his heirs or successors, or his justices, sheriffs, 
escheators, bayliffes, or other officers for, or by reason 
of the premises. 

“And commands also that neither the treasurer, 
chancellor or barons of the exchequer, or the justices, 
attorney general, or any other officers of his, or his 




170 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


successors, should grant out, or prosecute any writ, 
summons, quo warranto , or any process against the 
Mayor and Commonalty, or any of them for any cause, 
thing, matter, offence, claim, or usurpation, before the 
making of that charter. 

“ And the Mayor, Commonalty, or justices not to be 
troubled, hindered, or compelled to answer for any use 
or abuse of the liberties or privileieges of the said 
borough. 

“ And whereas the late Queen Elizabeth granted that 
the Mayor, Eecorder, and last Mayor, should be 
justices of peace within the said borough— 

“The King by these letters patent grants the same 
power unto them, and to two of the other most antient 
magistrates there, in degree and order of election, to 
be also justices of the peace within the said borough, 
and that they or any two of them, whereof the Mayor 
or Eecorder to be one, should have power to enquire 
of all felony’s, trespasses, evil deeds, and other delin- 
quincies or articles committed, done, or perpetrated 
within the said borough, which any other justices of 
the peace without any county of this realm of England, 
might by the laws or statutes of this realm enquire of, 
except murder, felony, that which concerns loss of life 
or member, and to hear, determine, and punish the 
offences, according to the laws and statutes, as any 
other justices might do. 

“But these justices are first to take their oaths of 
justices of peace before the Mayor there, and no justice 
of the county to inter-meddle within the borough.” 

“The misfortunes of King Charles I, had been the 
cause of great contention in the borough during the 



CHARTER OF CHARLES I. 171 

succeeding reign, and at length in 1684, (36th year of 
the latter reign) a quo ivarranto was brought against 
the Corporation, for some illegal proceedings against 
His Majesty in levying his dues, whereupon after some 
debate, the majority of the Corporation, or those which 
were convened by the Mayor, agreed to surrender 
their charters; and accordingly the same were surren¬ 
dered to His Majesty at Windsor, who soon after in 
the same year, granted the Mayor and Commonalty a 
new charter upon a different plan to any of the former, 
but this charter became vacated by the charter of King 
William III, which was the last granted to Plymouth.” 

1628. —Nicholas Sherwell, Mayor. “The fleet goeth 
to the seige of Rochelle, sail from hence in September.” 

1629. —William Heal, Mayor. The following letter 
from the Council to the Mayor of Plymouth, is dated 
December 27th, this year:— 

“Sir,—There being many bruits spred here of the 
preparations at sea, many by the French upon their 
coast, I hold it the dutie of my place to examine these 
reports, and to gain such certaine knowledge of the 
truth, as I may be able to give His Majesty a good 
accompt thereof, which I shall the better doe, if besides 
forayne advertisements, on which I would not allone 
relye, I may be withall informed from those who drive 
the trades to and fro between coast and coast, that 
cannot but take notice of any undertaking in this 
kind more than ordinarie. To this purpose I desire 
you should call unto you apart, (but with the least 
noise you can,) such as are lately returned from those 






172 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


post townes of France, especially in Brittanie, and 
inquire of them all particulars, which may serve for 
this discovery. Whereof when you have perfectly 
informed yourself, I shall entreat of you a speedy 
advertisement, and will assure you, your diligence 
herein will he an acceptable service to Ilis Majestie, 
and deserve of me any requitall may lye in the way 
and power of your very loving friende, Dorchester.” 

1630.—John Pound, Mayor. “A great contested 
election for the choice of the Vicar of Saint Andrew’s 
Church.” 


1631. —John Waddon, or Whaddon, Mayor. The 
bells new cast. 

1632. —Philip Andrew, Mayor. Hele’s Charity 
School said to have been founded. 

1633. —Bobert Trelawney, Mayor. “ This yeare 
the King’s fleet set forth with the first rate ship, 
anchored in the Sound, the Earle of Linsay, com¬ 
mander.” 

1634. —John Martin, Mayor. This year the Mayor 
and Corporation determined upon the erection of a new 
church, (Charles’ Church,) and took steps accordingly. 
Until this time, Saint Andrew’s was the only church 
in the town. The following interesting extract from 
the “White Book” of the Corporation, will show the 
proposed division of the town for the two parishes:— 

“Whereas this Borough of Plymouth, in the County 
of Devon, is so populous, and of late times so.much 
increased, that the church here is unable to receive and 







CHARLES’ CHURCH. 173 

contain a multitude of inhabitants thereof, who by 
reason, repair not to the church nor hear divine ser¬ 
vice on the Sunday, as they ought. And whereas the 
advancement and propagation of the honor and service 
of God, is and ought to be, the chiefest aim and end of 
all good magistrates and Christians. And whereas some 
worthy and well devoted gentlemen our neighbours, 
have already exprest themselves liberal benefactors 
towards so good and religious a work. We the said 
Mayor, major part of the Magistrates and Common 
Council, within the said borough, assembled in the 
Guildhall thereof, for the advancement of God’s glory, 
and for the furtherance of so needfull and pious a 
work; do enact, constitute, order, and agree that (with 
the gracious licence and leave of His Majesty,) there 
shall be with all convenient speed, a new church 
erected and founded, within the Borough of Plymouth 
aforesaid, in and upon that piece or parcell of land 
called, or known by the name of the Coney Yard, now 
Gayer’s Yard, lately dedicated and given us by John 
Hele, of Wembury, Esq., to that use. And we do 
further agree, that a petition be preferred to His 
Majesty for his royal assent thereunto, and grant that 
all that part and parcel of ground, messuages, houses, 
lands, and tenements, and of the inhabitants thereof, 
situate within the said borough, commonly called or 
known by the name of Looe-street Ward, Briton-side, 
Catdown and part of Yintry Ward and other messuages, 
lands, and tenements within the said borough, bounded 
as follows, and contained inclusive within the said 
bounds, may be a parish distinct and independent by 
itself, and have parish rights for ever, viz:—from the 



174 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


Pump on the New Quay within the said borough, and 
up through Batter-street on the east side of the 
said street, and thence up Looe-street untill you come 
to the Pope’s head, and thence down Bnckwell-street 
on the east side thereof, untill you come to Bilbury 
Bridge, and thence to Hampton-street, and from thence 
to the higher end of Green-street, and thence through 
the King’s highway that leadetli toward Plympton, 
untill you come to the bottom of Lipson-hill, on the 
east side thereof, and from thence along the sea-side 
and clift, untill you come to Friary Green, and from 
thence direct oyer the water and quay, untill you come 
to the Pump on the New Quay aforesaid; and that the 
Mayor and Commonalty of the said borough, and their 
successors for ever, may have the presentation and 
patronage thereof, and that His Majesty would be 
likewise graciously pleased to name the said parish and 
church. And we do further consent and agree that Sir 
James Bagg, Knight, a liberal benefactor towards the 
said work, shall present the said petition to His 
Majesty, according to his noble and free offer therein; 
which being obtained of His Majesty, we do further 
order, consent, and agree that the Mayor of the said 
borough for the time being, shall assemble and call 
together ourselves, and the most of the inhabitants 
within the said borough, to gather and receive our 
devotions, benevolences, and free will offerings towards 
the speedy perfecting and consummating of so pious 
and profitable a work; in true testimony whereof, 
we the said Mayor, &c., have hereunto subscribed our 

Signed by Kobert Trelawney, and 30 others. 


names. 


Charles’ church. 


175 


The following is the petition presented to the 
Eng, asking for leave to erect the New Church:— 
“To the King’s most excellent Majesty, the humble 
petition of the Mayor and Commonalty of the Borough 
of Plymouth, in the County of Devon, humbly 
sheweth. That whereas your Majestie’s Borough 
of Plymouth, aforesaid, is so populous and of late 
times so much increased, that the church there * 
(though large and spacious,) is unable to receive 
and contayne a multitude of your Majesty’s subjects, 
the inhabitants thereof, who by that means seldom 
repair to the church, or hear divine service on the 
Sunday, as they ought. And whereas there is a will¬ 
ing and unanimous consent and concurrence among 
your petitioners, and several other able inhabitants 
within the said borough, (besides the devotion of some 
worthy gentlemen, our neighbours) for the raysinge of 
money towards the erecting and buildinge of a New 
Church, within the said borough, and a convenient 
plott of ground and place for that purpose already 
allotted, and a competent means and mayntenance 
intended for the endowment thereof in perpetuity. 
May it please your Majesty, out of your wonted piety, 
and princely grace and goodness, to give your royal 
assent and encouragement to the needful and pious 
work, and to grant that some convenient parte of the 
said borough and of the inhabitants thereof, may be 
assigned to repayre to the said church, and may be a 
parish and have parochial rights for ever. And that 
your petitioners and their successors, may from time 
to time for ever, have the presentation and patron- 


* St. Andrew’s. 



176 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


age thereof, and that your Majesty will he likewise 
graciously pleased to name the said parish and church. 
And many poor soules who are now excluded (through 
numbers) from these publicque and divyne assemblies, 
shall blesse your Majesty, and your petitioners for 
ever bounde to pray for your Majesty’s long life and 
happy reigne over them.” 

1635. —Thomas Cramphorn, Mayor. u The first, or 
running, post between London, Exeter, and Plymouth, 
was established in 1635. It is interesting to read 
the very great charges incurred for sending letters 
from Lyme to Salisbury, London, Exeter, and the 
residences of great men, by a messenger. Sometimes 
a messenger was despatched to Chard, a distance 
of 12 miles, to find some one who would convey the 
letter to the metropolis. By an entry it appears the 
vicar of Lyme had £1 given him to take charge of a 
letter, the sending of which would otherwise have 
occasioned great cost.”—(Yonge’s Diary). 

1636. —John Cawse, Mayor. The floods so great 
that boats might float in the street. 

1637. —Nicholas Sherwell, Mayor. ‘ 1 Contest arising 
between the vicar, Dr. Willson, and the bench, they 
go to law when a decree is made in Star Chamber, 
dividing the power of the Church between them.” 

1638. —William Heal, Mayor, A very great flood, 
boats were floated into the streets. 


1639.—Bobert Cubbs or Gibbs, Mayor. 







ACT FOR BUILDING CHARLES’ CHURCH. 


ITT 


1G40.—William Birch, Mayor. Bobcrt Trelawncy, 
and John Waddon, Esqs., and afterwards Sir John 
Young, and John Waddon Esqs., Members for Ply¬ 
mouth. 

“An Act for the confirmation of His Majesty’s letters 
patent to the Town of Plymouth and for dividing the 
parishes and building a new church there, Anno 
Domini 1640. 

“ Whereas Queen Elizabeth of blessed memory, did 
heretofore grant unto the Mayor and Commonalty of 
Plymouth, in the County of Devon, the advowson of 
the vicarage of Plymouth aforesaid, and a certain 
portion of £8 yearly, issuing out of the said vicarage, 
after which the said Mayor and Commonalty enjoyed 
the said vicarage and pension for many years, till some 
question hath been made thereto by His Majesty, who 
by his letters patent, bearing date the 21st day of 
April in the ITth year of his reign, hath been pleased 
to grant, release and confirm the said vicarage and 
pension to the said Mayor and Commonalty and all 
arrears of the said pension, and because the said town 
is much increased of late, so that the Parish Church 
is not capable of the inhabitants, to heare divine 
service, His Majesty hath given licence to the said 
Mayor and Commonalty and their successors, to build 
a Hew Church within the said parish, and procure the 
same to be consecrated, and the said parish by certain 
bounds (by the said Mayor and Commonalty to be 
appointed) to divide; and to prefer two Yicars in the 
said churches, to the ordinary of the said place, to be 
presented and by him to be admitted; and that the said 
Mayor and Commonalty and their successors should 


178 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


have and enjoy the advowsons of both the said vicar¬ 
ages. And the said Mayor and Commonalty with His 
Majesty have undertaken to build the said New Church 
and to allow to a School Master for the education of 
the children there and youth £20 per annum ; and to 
maintain an Hospital there, lately built for the use and 
relief of some poor persons there to be placed by the 
said Mayor and Commonalty; and His Majesty further 
granted that after such New Church built, and death 
or other avoidance of the present Incumbent, the 
respective Vicars of the said churches to be preferred, 
should enjoy and receive all the rights, obvensions, 
tythes, and profits belonging to the new vicarage, 
which shall arise and happen within the several and 
respective limits of the said parishes, as by the said 
letters patent more fully appeareth. Pe it therefore 
(and for encouragement of the said Mayor and 
Commonalty to proceed in the said work) enacted 
by authority of this present Parliament, that the said 
grant of His Majesty of the said advowson, pension 
and arrears be confirmed, and by this present Parliament 
made good, to the said Mayor and Commonalty and 
their successors, and that they shall have, hold and 
enjoy the said advowson and pension and arrears 
thereof in their hands, or by them received and to 
them granted, released or confirmed or mentioned to 
be granted, released and confirmed by the said letters 
patent of his said Majesty; that the said letters patent 
with the provisoes, alterations and savings in this Act, 
made and enacted, shall be of the same effect and 
validity, to pass, grant and convey the said advowson 
and premises to the said Mayor and Commonalty and 


ACT FOR BUILDING! CHARLES’ CHURCH. 


179 


tlieir successors, as if the same were particularly 
and expressly by these presents enacted, granted and 
conveyed, any not-recital, mis-recital or other fault or 


defect whatsoever in the said letters patent nothwith- 
standing. And notwithstanding that the same without 
help or aid of this Act, should or might be expounded 
to be void or ineffectual. And be it further enacted 
that the bounds of the said new parish shall be in 
manner following, viz:—from the sea and slipp at the 
New Quay, up Batter-street to Pope’s Head, and 
thence down Buckwell-street to Bilberry-street, and 
thence up Trevill-street to Old Town Gate or North 
Gate, and thence in the highway leading to the lower 
Whoaten Mills, and thence over the bridge in the 
highway leading - to Maye’s Cross, and thence in the 
highway up Justices-lane to the highway leading to 
Tavistoke, as far as the Parish of Plymouth goeth; 
all the houses, lands and grounds to the eastward of 
the said bounds and the limits of the Parish of Egg- 
Buckland and the sea, round to the said slip at the 
NeAv Quay. And be it further enacted by the authority 
aforesaid, that from and after the death or other avoid¬ 
ance of the present Incumbent then as soon as the 
New Church shall be built and such division made of 
the said parish, the same division shall be effectual in 
law, and thenceforth there shall be in the said Parish 
of Plymouth, two vicarages and two Yicars to be 
appointed (that is to say) in each of the said churches, 
one, who shall severally and respectively serve in the 
cure, in the said respective limits and bounds of the 
said parish. And the New Church to be built shall 
be called Charles ’ Church , and the Yicars of the said 



180 


HISTOliY OF PLYMOUTH. 


churches hereafter to be preferred, shall have and 
enjoy the duties, rights, tithes and profits arising 
severally and respectively within the said bounds 
aforesaid to be appointed; each of them paying his 
tenths and first fruits proportionally to His Majesty; 
and the Yicar of the Old Church, called St. Andrew’s, 
shall pay to the Mayor and Commonalty of Plymouth, 
a stipend of £8 yearly, with which the said vicarage 
stands charged, and the parishioners within the said 
several parts and bounds of the said parish, shall 
respectively, also have and receive all parochial rights 
in the said several limits and bounds, be liable to all 
charges for ornaments and reparations, and otherwise 
belonging to the respective church within the several 
bounds, in such manner as they now are to the present 
church there built; and the parishoners which shall 
happen to be in the respective bounds and limits afore¬ 
said, shall be discharged of all charge of ornaments, 
repairations, and otherwise belonging to the said Old 
Parish Church, and in regard of the greatness of the 
said cure, and the multitudes of inhabitants in the said 
Parish of Plymouth. Pe it further enacted that the said 
Yicars there be bound to residence in their several 
cures, and that no one person be capable to hold both 
the said vicarages jointly together, or either with any 
other church with cure. And it is further enacted that 
the Mayor and Commonalty may bring a Quare Impedit 
at the next avoidance of the said churches, or either of 
them, against any disturber that shall hinder them to 
present to either of the said churches, (that is to say) 
to the Old Church by the name of St. Andrew’s, in 
Plymouth, and to the other by the name of the church 


ACT FOR BUILDING CHARLES’ CHURCH. 


181 


in Plymouth, called Charles’ Church, saving to all 
persons whatsoever, other than to Ilis Majesty, his 
heirs and successors, all such right, title and interest 
to the said advowson and pension as they or either of 
them have or ought to have in the said advowson and 
pension, in such manner as if this Act had never been 
made anything to the contrary in anywise notwith¬ 
standing. Provided also that if the Hew Chmch be 
built before the vacancy of the now church, by the 
death of the present Incumbent or otherwise, it shall 
be lawful for the said Mayor, Chief Burgesses, and 
Common Council Men, with the assent of the Ordinary, 
to name, and at their own charge to maintain a 
preaching Minister in Holy Orders, to serve the cure 
within the said Hew Church, during the incumbency of 
the present Incumbent, and that the several inhabitants 
within the said several bounds, shall repair to and 
receive parochial and spiritual rights within the said 
Hew Church; and also it shall and may be lawful for the 
Mayor and Commonalty to nominate and maintain at 
their own costs and charges, any lecturer or lecturers 
or preaching Minister in Holy Orders, to preach the 
word of God to the inhabitants, in the now present 
Church of St. Andrew’s, during the Incumbency of the 
present Vicar.— John Brown, Clerc^. ParliamjV’ 

10 41.—Thomas Seeley, Mayor. Assessment on the 
inhabitants of Vintry Ward for Poll Tax, 1641. Sum 
total collected £20115 s. 0 d. by James Hcbell, Anthony 
Skinner, and John Morrison, and signed and sealed 
by Sh. Calmady, John Harris, John Fownes, Frederick 
Ilowett, and Alexr. Maynard. 



182 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


1642.—Philip Francis, Mayor. A conduit- was built 
on the New Quay. 

The latter part of this year, and the intervening 
time until the beginning of 1644, are among the most 
memorable and stirring in the Annals of Plymouth. 
During the whole of this year, the country had been 
embroiled and divided into deadly factions of Royalist 
and Parliamentarians, and in the dreadful scenes which 
were enacted, Devonshire was far from exempt. Ply¬ 
mouth declared, and was successfully held for the 
Parliament, while Exeter ultimately surrendered to 
the royalist army, and other towns and ports were 
taken and retaken, according to the vacillations of the 
fortune of war, by one or other parties, and suffered 
alike by each. In the commencement of these troubles, 
Plymouth, during the absence of its governor, Sir 
Jacob Astley, whom the King had appointed his 
Major-General of foot, was seized by the townsmen 
and strongly fortified for the Parliament, and the Earl 
of Ruthen was soon afterwards made governor; Sir 
Nicholas Carew having the command of the Fort and of 
Saint Nicholas Island. Yarious attempts were made 
by the royalist to get possession of this important post, 
but its defenders held it against all comers, even at 
the time when all the rest of the west was in the 
possession of the royal forces. Sir Ralph Hopton with 
his army appeared before Plymouth in December, 
1642, but was driven from his quarters by the Earl of 
Stamford. In the following September, Colonel Digby 
was sent with a considerable force of horse and foot 
to blockade the town, and took up his quarters at 
Plymstock; the blockading army having batteries at 



THE SIEGE OF PLYMOUTH. 


183 


Oreston and Mount Batten, and a guard at IIoo. In 
October, they planned an attack on the Fort of Mount 
Stamford, but in return, their guard at IIoo was 
defeated, as they were in several other skirmishes. 
Shortly afterwards, Prince Maurice with his whole 
army, advanced on the town, taking up his head¬ 
quarters, at Widey House, and stationing his army 
at Plympton, Plymstock, Causand, Egg - Buckland, 
Tamerton, etc. Mount Stamford was subsequently 
taken, and an attack was made on the Fort at Lipson. 
Colonel Wardlaw, Governor of Plymouth, then took 
possession of the Fort and Island of Saint Nicholas, 
with the castle and magazine, then under charge of the 
mayor, and placed them under approved parliamentary 
officers; the inhabitants took a solemn vow, and made 
protestation to defend the Towns of Plymouth and 
Stonehouse, and the fort and island, to the uttermost. 
This vow was sent up, and registered in Parliament, 
and is given on a subsequent page. After much 
skirmishing on both sides, and a day of fast and 
humiliation being held, the siege was raised on 
Christmas Hay, and a day of thanksgiving was at 
once appointed and observed. 

In the following spring, April, 1644, the royalist 
forces, under Sir Eichard Grenville, again appeared 
before Plymouth, but were signally defeated by Colonel 
Martin, governor of the town, in an engagement at 
Saint Budeaux. Three days later the army again 
advanced on Plymouth, but again was repulsed, as it 
also was again in July, in which month, Colonel Kerr 
was made governor of the town. About this time 
Prince Maurice again attempted the capture of Ply- 


184 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


mouth, but again was unsuccessful, and left Sir Richard 
Grenville to continue the blockade. On the approach of 
the army under the Earl of Essex, Sir Richard aban¬ 
doned the blockade, and Mount Stamford again fell into 
the hands of the garrison. In September, 1644, the 
King came in person before Plymouth, attended by 
Prince Maurice, and took up his head-quarters at 
Widey House; Prince Maurice’s quarters being near 
Lipson, and the King’s near Magdalen Fort; the town, 
of which Lord Roberts was then governor, was sum¬ 
moned by the King, on the 11th, to surrender, but 
refused; a council of war was then held by the King, 
and it was determined not to undertake an assault or 
a close siege. The King soon afterwards, with his 
army, marched from Plymouth, leaving the blockade 
as it had been before his arrival, in the hands of 
Sir Richard Grenville. After many changes and 
much skirmishing—forts being taken and retaken 
and changes being made, both in command of the 
besiegers and the besieged—the blockade of Ply¬ 
mouth, which had been kept up so long, and so 
unsuccessfully, was finally abandoned, and the town 
returned to its former peaceful state. 

The following is a contemporary account of some of 
the events connected with this memorable siege, which 
I insert here in preference to the following year, so 
as to give the narrative in a connected form. It is 
entitled:— 

“A true narration of the most remarkable occur¬ 
rences at the late Siege of Plymouth, from the 15th 
day of September, 1643, until! the 25th of December 
following. Attested from thence under the hands of 





THE SIEGE OF PLYMOUTH. 


185 


several credible persons, together with an exact map 
and descriptions of the town and fortifications thereof, 
with the approaches of the enemy, as also the summons 
of the cavaliers to the mayor and governor of the said 
town, and Prince Maurice’s warrant to the country, 
since the raising of the siege.— 

Imprimatur Joiix White. 

London: printed by L.ISC, for Francis Eglesficld, and 
are to be sold at the sign of the Mary Gold, in Saint 
Paul’s Churchyard, 1644.” 

The following is the narrative:— 

“ After Colonel Wardlaw, Commander-in-Chief, and 
Colonel Gould with the 600 men, shipt at Portsmouth 
about the 15th of September, for the relief of this town, 
had stopt in Torbay, and finding Dartmouth besieged, 
left 100 men there for the strengthening of that gar¬ 
rison ; they arrived at Plymouth the last of September, 
which they found had been blockt up by some horse, so 
that no provisions were brought in from the country 
for six weeks before. 

“After having refreshed the men, about 150 of them 
were mounted on horseback. The enemy had only 
one regiment of foot, (besides their horse) which was 
quartered at Plymstock, and kept a constant guard 
at Hue, close under Mount Stamford,* consisting of 
about 300 foot and a troop of horse. They intended 
(as we were informed,) to attack this fort about nine 
days after our arrival. Upon which, on the 8th of 

“* So called from the Earl of Stamford, who was the Commander-in-Chief here after 
the Battle of Bradock Down, it was situated on some of the heights near Hue, but I 
have not been able to discover its remains, (if any). There are however, evident marks 
of fortifications on Mount Batten, at the south-east of the present castle I have since 
discovered that the remains are still visible, and that the situation is well known in 
that neighbourhood, and is still called Mount Stamford.”—Old MS. Note. 


186 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


October, we put over about 300 men before daybreak, 
in boats to Mount Stamford; and at break of day, fell 
on and surprized the enemy’s guard at Hue, took 
Captain Howley, one ensign and 52 common soldiers 
prisoners, two colours and three barrels of powder, put 
the rest to flight, with loss only of two men on our 
side. About the same time some malignants were 
taken up in the town and sent up three of them to 
the Parliament. 

“By this time, the King’s forces had taken Dart¬ 
mouth, and were on their march with their whole 
army, to sit down before Plymouth. Intelligence 
having been received that the enemy kept a guard 
of two troops of horse at Knackersliole, (about two 
miles from our works) the 15th of October, we sallied 
out with our horse and 200 musquetiers, surprized 
that guard and had taken 20 or 30 prisoners, but 
about 16 of our horse, pursued the rest that fled so 
fast, that their orders for retreating could not overtake 
them, engaged themselves too far, and returning laiden 
with prey and prisoners, were overtaken by other 
troops of the enemy, who came from their quarters 
on Roborrow Down to answer the alarm, and were all 
taken except Major Scarle, who charged through them 
and escaped. Lieutenant Chasing and 14 more were 
taken, but afterwards effected their escape out of prison 
and returned to us save only two or three. The King’s 
forces being now arrived and stationed at Plympton, 
Ply instock, Cawsand, Bucldand, and Tamerton, con¬ 
sisted of five regiments of horse and nine regiments of 
foot. The first manoeuvre they made was to bring 
overland from Yealme, 13 fisher’s boats into Plunket 


THE SIEGE OE PLYMOUTH. 


187 


Mills Bay, over against Prince Bock,* with an intent¬ 
ion as we conceived to land on Catdowne in the night, 
which they did not however attempt. They now set 
on Mount Stamford in good earnest, and on the 21st 
of October, in the night, they raised a square work 
within pistol shot of our Fort of Stamford, on the 
north-east side and from thence were drawing a line 
with half moons to surround the said fort and thereby 
to intercept any relief that might be sent to it. To 
prevent which, the same day we fell on the enemy in 
their new work, with all the disadvantage on our part 
that could possibly be imagined, exposing ourselves 
without any defence to an enemy within a strength, 
and assisted by their horse, who annoyed us much. 
We having no horse to assist us, nor could have, from 
our situation. After a long skirmish and diverse 
repulses, we at last gained their half moon, and after 
three hours hot fight, their close work; and in it 
Captain White and 50 others prisoners. In this fort 
was placed a guard that night, of 30 musquetiers, 
commanded by an ensign; by whose treachery or 
cowardice the enemy having attacked it in the night, 
the guard quitted the work to them, without giving 
any alarm to Mount Stamford, for which he was shot 
to death shortly after. This cost us a new labour 
next day, with far greater difficulty and danger then 
before ; the enemy having their troops ready to second 
their guard in their new-regained work ; which we 
however again made ours, after having sustained the 
loss on our part of Captain Corbet, who was shot in 

“* Here was a pretty large fort, immediately opposite to the arm of the river that 
goes up to riunket Mills, the remains of which are still to be discovered by the 
unevenness of the ground.” 


188 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


the forehead on the first onset, and three others of 
our captains were also wounded this day and the day 
before, and we had in both days, about 20 men killed 
and above 100 wounded. The King’s forces lost six 
commanders, whose names were concealed from us, 
and many men besides those taken prisoners. 

“After we had gained this work the second time, we 
slighted it, but to prevent the like approaches, Mount 
Stamford being small and very untenable of itself, 
much less to keep so large a circuit of ground as it was 
built to defend; we were necessitated to draw a line of 
communication both on the east and west side of the 
fort, to maintain a long ridge of ground, with half moons 
at each end of the line, which we defended several 
days, with extraordinary duty to our men and diverse 
skirmishes with the enemy, till the 3rd of November, 
when the enemy planted their batteries within pistol 
shot of our fort, and on the 5th following, battered 
our work with 200 demi-cannon and whole cnlverine 
shot, besides other smaller cannon, that continually 
played on us, and flanked our line from Oreston-hill, 
by which means they made several breaches and killed 
the lieutenant and some gunners ; the breaches we 
repaired in the night, thickening the rampart as 
much as the smallness of our work would admit, and 
strengthened the weakest places with wool sacks, the 
next day they continued their battery till noon with 
too much success, yet no considerable breach was 
made that day; but owing to their having received 
intelligence of the want of provisions and ammunition 
in the fort, about one of the clock, they attacked our 
half moons and lines with horse and foot, where we 


THE SIEGE OF PLYMOUTH. 


189 


had a sufficient guard, but tired with eight days’ duty 
and long watching, after an hour’s skirmish were forced 
to retreat from the half moons and breast work and were 
taken by the enemy’s horse, who came on their backs. 
The captain of the fort having but seven men of six 
and thirty left to manage the guns, seeing himself 
thus surrounded by the enemy and no hopes of relief, 
of provisions or ammunition from the town; and upon 
examination, finding but two barrells of good powder, 
a small quantity of case shot and no provisions, and 
having held off the enemy some two hours, and given 
a sign to town, by hanging out a wift that he was in 
distress, and no relief coming. (The townsmen for 
some reasons which you shall hear anon, being unwill¬ 
ing to go over, and Colonel Gould’s regiment were 
those that were put to the retreat and totally unfit 
to encounter the enemy’s whole army, flushed with 
victory). The captain surrendered the fort about 
four o’clock, upon condition that he should march 
off with colours flying, matches lighted, bullet in 
mouth, and a demi-culverin the best in the work, 
with bag and baggage, and that the enemy should 
exchange the prisoners they had taken that day being 
about forty, for the like number of their prisoners with 
us, which the next day was effected accordingly; 
we are unwilling to make known by whose treachery, 
at least neglect, the fort was lost, for want of con¬ 
venient quantities of ammunition and provision, (in 
the margin it was written that many insinuated that 
J. C., Mayor of the town,* was faulty;) whilst the 
enemy were busy about taking Mount Stamford, we 

“ * John Caws was Mayor of the Town that year.” 


190 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


had begun to raise a work upon Huestart,* where 
our men retreated after they were beaten from Mount 
Stamford, but being unfinished, and the same wearied 
men enjoyned to keep it till the next morning, (the 
townsmen refusing to go over) possessed with a fear 
of the enemy’s horse, quitted that place also, which 
the enemy soon after took possession of, and have 
built a fort and diverse batteries there to hinder 
shipping from coming into the harbour, and others 
to shoot into the town, and at our wind-mill on the 
Hoe; but notwithstanding, they have done no harm 
to any ship or boat, that have passed in or out for 
these two months past, nor hath any shot of the 
many hundreds they have sent into the town from 
thence, done the least hurt to man, woman, or child, 
(except one woman hurt in the arm with a stone,) 
and but little to the houses, save that they shot off 
one vane of the wind-mill on the Iloe, which was 
presently new grafted; so that we find by experience 
that the loss of Mount Stamfi rd, was the wonderful 
providence of God towards us, which had we kept, 
we must necessarily have lost the best of our strength 
in its defence; our ships being beaten out of Catwatcr 

before we lost Mount Stamford, by the enemy’s cannon 

/ 

planted at Oreston, and on the other side from a 
battery under Mount Edgcumbe, from riding between 
the Island and the main, so that we were fame to take 
Mill Bay for sanctuary: nay rather the loss of it was 
advantageous to us, as it was a means of uniting our 
small strength for the defence of the town, and the 

“* The peninsula, now called Mount Batten. Here are traces still left'of many 
fortifications, and the building is so called from a Captain Batten, who erected it.” 


THE SIEGE OF PLYMOUTH. 


191 


offering an opportunity to us to seize upon the fort* 
and island, (the most considerable strengths in the 
the defence of them, of which neglect of the authors 
of it, account may in due time be given to the 
Parliament; for in the very instant of the loss of 
Mount Stamford, while all men stood in doubt of the 
kingdom) which were then utterly destitute of pro¬ 
visions, ammunition, or any thing else necessary for 
issue, Colonel Gould by order of Colonel Wardlaw 
took possession of both these places, and afterwards 
settled stronger garrisons, with store of provisions 
and ammunition of all sorts in each of them, the 
securing whereof, and at the request of the well- 
effected of the town, of four deputy-lieutenants in 
them, of whose unfaithfulness to the State, the 
townsmen had great suspicion. By these means, 
the town which was before altogether divided, and 
heartless in its defence, became united and resolved 
to stick by us in defending it, partly out of fear, 
knowing that the fort and island would be goades in 
their sides, if the town should be surrendered; but 
more particularly from their being well-assured of 
our intention to defend the town to the last man, and 
of the resolutions formed by the officers, that when 
they could defend the town no longer, they would 
burn it to ashes, rather than the enemies of God 
and His cause should possess it; which resolution of 
theirs, they confirmed by joining with us in a solemn 
vow and covenant for the defence of the town. A 

“ * This fort stood in the same situation that the Citadel does now, but was not so 
large, was built in 1593, and destroyed in 1GG6, when the present Citadel began to be 
erected.”—Old MS. Note. 


192 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


copy whereof is annexed at the end of this relation.— 

“ The enemy thus possessed of Mount Stamford, 
accounting all now to he their own, sent a trumpet 
to ns, with a summons to surrender; a copy whereof 
is also to he found at the end, which was answered 
by silence. The same day Mount Stamford was taken, 
the enemy made an attempt upon Lipson Work,* hut 
was repulsed with loss. 

“The 11th of November a party of horse and mus- 
quetiers were commanded out to Thorn-hill to guard 
in wood and hay, hut they transgressed their orders, 
and pursued some of the enemy’s horse to Ivnackershole 
killed a captain and some common troopers and took 
some prisoners; hut staying too long, drew the main 
body of the enemy’s horse upon them, and Major 
Leyton striving to make good their retreat was taken 
in the rear, after he had received live wounds. 

“And now the enemy having refreshed their men, 
and secured their new gotten purchase, about the 
16th of November sat down on the north-side of the 
town; we in the mean time were busied in mending 
some hedges, that had been pulled down between the 
works; the only line of communication we yet have; 
scarce defensible against the storming of horse; yet 
such places we must now resolve to defend upon 
equal terms with our enemies; for the works are 
at such a distance one from the other, and the 
grounds so uneven, that an enemy may in some 
places approach •within the works, without any mo¬ 
lestation from them. On the 28th of November the 

“ * Part of the rampart of this fort is still to be seen, in a field adjoining the 
Turnpike road, (which appears to have been cut through part of it) on the left hand 
side going down Lipson-liill.”—Old MS. Note. 



TIIE SIEGE OF PLYMOUTH. 


193 


enemy planted a battery against Lipson Work,* but 
could not approach within musket shot to batter our 
works, on account of the deep valley between, so that 
at the end of three days battery, they had done little 
execution on our work. About this time, one Ellis 
Carkeet, a malignant mariner, was accused and taken 
up for tampering with Roger Kneebone, the chief 
gunner at Maudlin Work, to blow it up, the powder 
room being buryed in it, and he having the keys; 
but Ivneebone after he had concealed it several 
days, God not suffering his conscience to give him 
rest, came and discovered it. Upon the apprehension 
of Carkeet, two notorious malignants, Henry Pitts a 
vintner, and Moses Collins an attorney, conceived to 
be privy to his treason, fled to the enemy. And 
upon the 3rd of December, (as we are credibly 
informed) the enemy guided by these two renegadoes 
with 400 musquetiers, three hours before daybreak, 
surprised our guard at Dairy Point, and in it three 
pieces of ordnance. The work is but a half moon, 
and the guard placed there only to give the alarm if 
the enemy should approach Dare Point over the sands, 
when the tide is out. Py which means the enemy 
coming on under Lipson Work, (being a variable 
ground by reason of its steepness,) came on the 
back of our guard, and easily surprized it. The 
alarm being given to the town, at break of day, 150 
horse and 300 musquetiers marched out to attack them, 
which the enemy at Mount Stamford perceiving, (for 


“* The remains of this fort are still to be seen in a field on the left hand 
side of the Northern Turnpike Road, above Lewis Jones’s Turnpike Gate.”—Old MS. 

Note. 

H 


194 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


we fell on upon the south side of the hill, which was 
from the enemy’s view) gave a signal to the main body 
of the enemy, who were at Compton all in arms; upon 
which Prince Maurice, and all the gallantry of his 
army, with four regiments of foot and five of horse, 
(having in the night made their way with pioneers) 
advanced under protection of their own ordnance and 
a hedge they possesst, (where we usually placed 
sentries, and where since we have built a workf 
under Lipson,) to the assistance of those, who in 
the night had surprized our guard. We were in 
hopes to have beaten off the enemy before Prince 
Maurice could come to their assistance, and therefore 
attacked them resolutely with horse and foot, but 
met strong opposition; and Captain Wansey a gallant 
man, charging at a gap which formerly he knew to be 
open, but now made up by the enemy, was unfor¬ 
tunately slain, which made our horse give ground, 
and were afterwards both horse and foot, put to an 
absolute rout for three fields together; at which time 
some of the enemy’s horse mixt themselves with ours, 
and came within pistol shot of the walls, and were 
killed or taken. A stand being at last made upon the 
height of the hill above Lipson Work, and fresh men 
being drawn from several guards, and having encour¬ 
aged our men, we held our ground for four hours. 
During which time, our ship at Pare Point seeing our 
guard were taken, entertained a parley with the enemy, 
and so stood neuter till we had beaten the enemy to a 
retreat, (for which some of them are in question for 

* This is still to be discovered in a field to the eastward of the road, half way 
down Lipson-liill, at the first turning. 


THE SIEGE OF PLYMOUTH. 


195 


their life). The enemy sent a trumpet during this 
battle to summon Lypson Work, but was answered 
with a cannon, after it had been commanded to depart. 
In the mean time we having gotten a small Drake 
planted in the cross way, discharged it four or five 
times on the enemy’s horse with good execution, and 
having given a signal by sound of drumm, when our 
several commanded places should fall on, the enemy 
began to give ground, and some 200 musquetiers of 
the trained bands of the town being come to our 
assistance, we sent a party of about 60 musquetiers 
to play upon their backs, which was no sooner per¬ 
ceived by Prince Maurice, but he commanded a retreat, 
which was followed so close by us, that it was little 
better than a hasty flight, for the greatest part retreat¬ 
ing over the Pare, and not the same way they came 
on; their rear guard of horse of about 100 men being 
cut off from their way of retreat were forced into the 
mud between Lipson Work and Pare Point, and the 
horse were almost all taken or drowned when the sea 
came in, some of the riders by crawling through the 
mud hardly escaped; many of the enemy were killed 
in their retreat by our horse and foot, and by the 
ship at Pare Point, who then grew honest again; 
of the prisoners we took a captain-lieutenant of 
horse and one Pangsford, once a priest, but now a 
captain, and about 30 common soldiers, 13 barrels 
of powder, two teams of horses with furniture, (by 
which they were drawing up our ordnance against 
us). Of ours the enemy took in our first retreat, 
Captain-Pieutenant Roe, Pieutenant Upton, Ensigns 
Crocker and Francis Rolles, and about 40 common 


106 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


soldiers, besides Captain Wansey, and about 12 
others killed, and a 100 men wounded, some ot 
whom are since dead. Colonel Gould had a horse 
killed under him and another shot, but he mercifully 
preserved. The Lord shewed himself wonderfully in 
our deliverance, for when the enemy had gained 
great advantages and were ten to one against ns, 
yet was pleased by our handfull to drive them back 
another way than they came, for had they kept 
possession of the ground they had gotton that night, 
the next day they would have been masters of all 
Catdown, and then we must have quitted our out¬ 
works as useless to us, and have betaken ourselves 
to the Town Walls, * which then were not fully 
finished, and could not have been defended long. 
The same day the enemy with horse and foot assaulted 
Pennycomquick Work,*]* and were repulsed with much 
loss. After this second repulse, they suffered us to be 
quiet (as usual,) for 15 or 20 days, in the mean 
time collecting together their routed troops, except 
one night they fell on upon a work we were raising 
under Lipson Work, called in the maps Lypson Mill 
Work, for the prevention of the enemy’s incursions 
again that way, and partly slighted it, our guard 


“ * I believe it is known by very few (if any) that there are still at this time remains 
of the Walls of this Town, bnt the present writer has traced a mound of earth, which 
formed a ditch before the wall from Old Town Gate to Gaskings Gate, of part of this 
mound a terrace in several gardens has been formed, and Huer’s Row has evidently 
been built on it; the wall itself did not reach farther than the head of Little Church 
lane, and serves as the Northern Wall to several gardens there. The wall of the 
gardens, etc., of the eastern side of Old Town-street, was no doubt also part of the 
Town Walls, and before the building of Frankfort-place, might no doubt have been 
traced from Old Town Gate to Frankfort Gate.”—Old M.S. Note. 

t Pennycomquick Work or rather the vestige of it, forms a corner of a field 
above Pennycomquick Hill, at the cross roads there. 


THE SIEGE OF PLYMOUTH. 


197 


there haying quitted it without a shot; from this 
they were however suddenly beaten again, and the 
work re-edified. It were endless to recount the 
numerous skirmishes that daily past between us, 
sometimes about our cattle that strayed without our 
works, at other times to pass time by bravadoes 
and ambuscades, made by our guards to entrap the 
enemy. Prince Maurice now finding their battery 
against Lipson, and his intent to possess Pare Point 
successless, he began to make approaches against 
Maudlin Work, we in the mean time thick’ned that 
work within to make it proof, and finding they had 
planted their batteries within musquet shot of our 
work, we planted a platform close by Maudlin Work, 
and drew out a demy-cannon (which was taken in 
a prize that was going to the rebells in Ireland,) to 
counter-batter against them, and intended to plant 
another if it had been needful. Upon the 18th oi 
December the enemy began to batter, but by reason 
of our counter-batterie, which played constantly into 
their work through their ports, whereby their men 
could not stand safely by their ordnance, we having 
the advantage of playing down upon them from the 
commanding ground; so that the enemy in two days 
had done us no harm with their battery. But on 
Wednesday night, the 20th of December, through 
the carelessness of the captain of the guard, that set 
out sentries, perdue , it being a wet and dark night, 
the enemy raised a square work with the help of 
the corner of a field, within pistol shot of Maudlin 
Work, almost in a direct line between that and 
P enny com quick, which if they had kept possession 


198 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


of, might Iuiyc cut us off from the relief of that 
work, etc.; as soon at it was discovered by the guard 
at Maudlin the next morning, which consisted of 
about threescore men, they attacked the work in 
hopes to have regained it without any more help, 
but found it guarded with two or three hundred 
men, and so were fain to retreat until a reinforce¬ 
ment came from the town. Accordingly about nine 
o’clock, the horse and foot being got ready, we fell 
on upon their work, but were repulsed twice, and 
once after we had gained it; but our men being 
heartened with the assistance of some fresh men, 
and backed with most of the strength we could 
make, attacked it the third time, and took and 
slighted it. The prisoners taken on their side were 
one captain, Prince Maurice’s trumpeter, and some 
few others, and killed near 100 men; there were 
taken of ours by the enemy, Lieutenant William 
Harwar, and two more surrounded by their horse 
in one place, and as many in another; we had 20 
men killed, whereof Ensigne Grimes was one, and 
fourscore wounded, whereof Ensigne Samuel Horte 
and some others are since dead. Upon the enemy’s 
retreat we could hardly dissuade our soldiers from 
falling on their works to gain their ordnance; but we 
had too few men to adventure upon so hazarduous 
a design. The next day we could see the enemy 
preparing to draw off their ordnance, and on Christ¬ 
mas Day, the 25th of December, in the morning, 
they withdrew their guards; being the same day that 
Prince Maurice promised his soldiers they should be 
in Plymouth. That day Major-General Basset called 


THE SIEGE OE PLYMOUTH. 


199 


to one of our officers that was a prisoner in their 
work, and told him that he thought God fought 
against them, and said if he could be persuaded 
that he was not in the right, he would hang himself 
at his door, before he would take up arms again in 
that quarrel. The day after the enemy had raised 
the siege, part of two of our works fell down, which 
might have endangered the loss of them, if they had 
continued their siege. The enemy now quarter at 
Tavistock and Plympton to refresh their men, and 
to recruit for a fourth siege, and for the present 
they block us up from provision, having driven all 
the cattle in the country before them, so that we 
cannot subsist long unless store of all sorts of pro¬ 
visions be sent us. Put if we have a considerable 
supply of men, money and arms, for horse and foot, 
sent us with speed, by God’s assistance we may be 
able to take the field, for all the country is inclined 
towards us, which opportunity we hope the Parlia¬ 
ment will not neglect. 

“One remarkable passage of God’s providence to 
us, we must with all thankfulness remember and 
acknowledge; that after the town had been a long 
time strictly besieged, and no fresh victuals, either 
of flesh or fish could be had, whereby the poor 
people were great sufferers, there came an infinite 
multitude of pilchards into the harbour, within the 
Barbican, which the people took up with great ease 
in baskets, which not only refreshed them for the 
present; but a great many more were salted, whereby 
the poor got much money; such a circumstance never 
happened before. We cannot forget the humanity 


200 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


of the good women of Plymouth, nor their courage in 
bringing out strong waters, and all sorts of provisions, 
in the midst of our skirmishes for the refreshing of 
our soldiers, though many were shot through the 
cloaths. We cannot omit mentioning that soon after 
our arrrival here, Sampson Hele, Esquire, came on 
a message to the town from the Prince, to persuade 
the yielding of it up; but coming without drum 
or trumpet, he was constrained for this offence to 
give us £2,000, for the pay and cloathing of our 
soldiers, without wiiich we could not possibly have 
subsisted so long. 

“We had upon the loss of Mount Stamford, a day 
of humiliation, and upon God’s delivering us at Pare 
Point, a day of thanksgiving, and another since the 
siege was raised. 

“ The chief commanders before us were Prince 
Maurice, the Earls of Marlborough and Newport, the 
Lord Mohun, Sir Thos. Hele, Sir Edmd. Eortescue, 
Sir John Grenville, Sir Eichard Cave, Sir James 
Cobourne, Sir John I)igby, Sir Peter Courtney, Sir 
William Courtney, Lieut.-General Wagstaffe, and 
Major-General Basset and divers other considerable 
persons, many of whom as well as of the common 
soldiers are either since dead or desperately sick.— 
Attested under the hands of 

Colonels. 

William Gould. | William Layther. 

Michl. Serle, Lieut.- Colonel. | Nathl. Willis, Serjt.-Major. 

Captains. 

Bobt. Northcote. 

Thos. King. 


Sami. Bersch. 
Gabriel Bernes. 




THE SIEGE OE PLYMOUTH. 


201 


Hen. Potter. 
Will. Watt on. 
Hen. Plumley. 
Willm. Hill. 
Thos. Hughes. 


Bartholw. Henderson. 
Phil. Beaumont. 


Geo. Hamilton. 
William Owen. 
Humphy. Burton. 
Thomas Halsey. 


Cap tain -Lien tenan ts. 

James Moore. 
Lieutenants. 

Thos. Stayner. 

—Chaffin. 


Phillip Frannies. 
John White. 
Bichd. Evins 


Officers of the Horse. 


Arthur Gay. 
Bichd. Burthogg. 


Ellis Grimes. 
Philip Crocker. 


Hen. ITatsell. 
Captains of the Town. 

Bobt. Ilarvie. 
Cliristr. Martin. 


Christr. Crocker, Captain-Lieutenants 


“The Summons of the Cavaliers.—To the Mayor 
and Governor of the Town of Plymouth. That you 
may see our hearty desires of a just peace. 

“We do summon you in His Majesty’s name, to 
surrender the Town, Fort and Island of Plymouth, 
with the warlike provisions thereunto belonging, into 
our hands for His Majesty’s use. And we do hereby 
assure you by the power derived to us from Ilis 
Majesty, upon the performance hereof of a general 
pardon for what is past, and engage ourselves on our 
honour to secure your persons and estate from all 
violence and plunder. We have now acquitted our¬ 
selves on our parts, and let the blood that shall be spilt 








202 


HISTORY OR PLYMOUTH. 


in the obtaining of these just demands (if denied by 
you) be your guilt. Given under our bands at Mount 
Stamford, the 18th day of Hovr., A.D. 1643. 

John Digby. 

Jno. Wagstaffe, 

Jno. Arundell. 

Jo. Downing. 


Thos. Monke. 
Thos. Stucley. 
Peter Killigrew. 
E. Prideaux. 
Wm. Arundell.” 


Thomas Basset. 

Jonatban Trelawny. 

u Plymouth, 4thHovr., 1643.—It is this day ordered 
by the Council of War that this vow and protestation 
as followeth be openly published in the Assemblies by 
the Ministers of this Town to-morrow, being the 5th of 
Hovr., 1643, and that it may be presented particularly 
to all officers and soldiers, inhabitants and strangers of 
the Towns and Garrisons of Plymouth and Stonehouse, 
the Fort and Island. And that especial notice be 
taken of all such as shall refuse to take the said vow 
and protestation which is as followeth.—I, A.B. in the 
presence of Almighty God do vow and protest that I 
will to the utmost of my power faithfully maintain and 
defend the Town of Plymouth and Stonehouse, the 
Fort and Island with all the outworks and fortifica¬ 
tions to the same belonging, against all forces now 
raised against the said town, fort and island or any 
part thereof, or that shall be raised by any power or 
authority whatsoever, without the consent and author¬ 
ity of both Houses of Parliament, neither will I by any 
way or means whatsoever contrive or consent to the 
giving up of the said towns and fortifications aforesaid 
or any parcel of them, into the hands of any person or 
persons whatsoever, without the consent of both Houses 





THE SIEGE OF PLYMOUTH. 


203 


of Parliament or of such as are authorized thereunto 
by them; neither will I raise or consent to the raising 
of any force or tumult; nor will I by any way or means 
give or yield to the giving any advice, counsel or 
intelligence to the prejudice of the said towns and 
fortifications, either in whole or part, but will with all 
faith, fully discover to the Mayor of Plymouth and to 
the commander-in-chief there whatsoever design I shall 
know or hear of hurtful thereunto; neither have I 
accepted any pardon or protection nor will accept any 
protection from the enemy, and this vow and protes¬ 
tation I make without any equivocation or mental 
reservation whatsoever, believing that I cannot be 
absolved from this my vow and protestation, and 
wishing no blessing from God on myself or my 
posterity, if I do not truly and sincerely perform 
the same.—So Help me God.” 

“Prince Maurice’s Warrant since the raising of the 
Siege.—“To the constables of Egg-Buckland, (and after 
notice taken of the publishing,) to the constables or 
tything men of Saint Budcaux, there to be published.— 

“For as much as divers persons, disaffected to His 
Majesty’s service, make their daily recourse into Ply¬ 
mouth, furnishing the rebells there with all manner of 
provision for man and horse, contrary to His Majesty’s 
proclamation prohibiting the same, these are therefore 
to signify, that if any person, of what degree or 
quality, do ever presume to have any commerce or 
dealing with any in the said town, or take or carry 
with him any horses, oxen, kine, or sheep or other 
provision for man or horse into the said Town of Ply- 




204 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH, 


mouth, for the relief of the rebells there, every such 
person and persons shall be proceeded against both in 
person and estate, as abettors of this horrid rebellion, 
and contemners of His Majesty’s proclamation, accord¬ 
ing to the limitation of the Court of Wards in such 
cases provided; willing and requiring all mayors, just¬ 
ices of peace, bayliffs, constables and all others of Ilis 
Majesty’s officers and ministers, to cause this to be 
forthwith published in all churches, chappels, markets, 
or other places; whereby Ilis Majesty’s loving subjects 
may the better take notice hereof. —Maurice.” 

“A continuation of the true narration of the most 
observable passages in and about Plymouth, from 
January 26th, 1642, till this present, wherein you 
may observe how the Lord doth always work for 
that poor and remote garrison, together with the 
letter of Sir Eichard Greenville, with the answer 
to it, as also the burning a book inclosed in his 
letter, by the hand of the common hangman; the 
book being intitled “The Iniquity of the Common 
Wealth, with the discovery of a She Traitor,” with 
the articles proved against her on oath at a Council 
of War. Published by authority.” 

“Plymouth being a town far remote, and the passage 
being by sea, an account of God’s working (for Ply¬ 
mouth) against the enemy, cannot so speedily be 
given as might be wished and expected, besides the 
commanders, (being more desirous to serve their God 
and country, than to gaggle like hens on the laying 
of every egg,) are contented to be silent, until there 
is enough acted to till up a relation; now therefore 



THE SIEGE OF PLYMOUTH. 


205 


not willing that God’s mercies should be stiffled, but 
published for His glory, and for the heartening of such 
as stand up courageously for the Lord against the 
mighty, this ensuing narration (as a continuation of 
the most observable passages in and about Plymouth,) 
is thought fit to be published. 

“December 25th, 1643, our last ended:—and this 
begins January 26th, 1644, for in the interim, great 
care was taken and still is, to fortify the town, in 
pulling down hedges without our works, and repair 
the decayed and ruined outworks; in building new 
where they are wanting, and running breast works 
from work to work; two new works are made, two 
repaired that fell down December the 25th, at night, 
the very night after the enemy removed the strait 
siege; and let not the world wonder, that we lay still 
a month without encounters when we had so many 
hedges to pull down, and three miles of ground to be 
new fortified against the enemy, besides the slighting 
of the enemy’s works. 

“If none of this had been needful to refresh such a 
tired and almost worn-out garrison, it being common 
in the winter for the poor soldiers to endure six 
or seven night’s duty without relief, besides their 
bickerings and encounters with the enemy. 

“But if the world knew what rubs against action 
hath lain in the way, it would not wonder the gallant 
garrison hath given no better account to Parliament, 
however take this narration for a truth, without 
questioning it, and bless God for this, and pray for 
them that are (by God’s assistance) resolved to do 


more. 



208 


HISTOllY OF PLYMOUTH. 


“ January 26th, 1644.—The enemy lying at 

Plympton and at Buckland and in other parishes 
in their quarters, sallied out and fell on some of our 
men that were about the country, hut when we heard 
of it we drew forth our horse, Major Halsey, Com- 
mander-in-Chief fell upon the enemy in Tamerton, 
four miles from the town, when we took nine horses 
and nine prisoners and one slain. 

“February 24th.—Cap tain-Lieutenant Chaffin was 
sent out with a party of horse, to fall upon the 
enemy’s guard at Treniman’s or Trenleman’s Jump, 
four miles from the town, where we heat them off 
their guard and took 25 horses and one prisoner and 
lost but one horse. 

“March 15th.—One of Colonel Gould’s men and 
some others going into the country upon some 
occasion, the enemy came upon them and took the 
colonel’s man (since redeemed,) and when the alarm 
came into the town, (Major Halsey, Commander-in- 
Chief,) we drew forth our horse and pursued our 
enemy to Treniman’s Jump, where we fell on their 
guard and heat them out of their guard house, slew 
three of their men and took ten horses, six prisoners, 
two drums and nine muskets and lost not a man. 

“March 20th.—Captain-Lieutenant Chaffin, Com¬ 
mander-in-Chief, was sent out with a party of 60 
horse, and fell upon the enemy’s guard aforesaid, 
where we heat them out of their guard, and pursued 
them about a mile upon the Down towards Tavistock, 
and slew about ten men of them, and took ten 
prisoners, one captain, one lieutenant, one quarter¬ 
master and 30 horse, besides what was wounded of 






THE SIEGE OF PLYMOUTH. 207 

the enemy, and run away oyer the hedges forsaking 
their horses, and we lost hut one horse and two men 
wounded, and so returned safe home to Plymouth. 

“March 27th.—That unparalled (in respect to the 
west) Colonel Gould, departed this life, being called 
to Jesus Christ to have a crown of gold set on his head 
for his golden activity and fidelity and indefagitable 
patience, to help the Lord against the mighty in 
purging the Church and Common Wealth, being 
lamented of all but malicious malignants. 

“By his death the affair of the town likely to he out 
of order, a commission was granted to the Mayor of 
Plymouth, Colonel Crocker, and Lieutenant-Colonel 
Martin, for the ordering of the affairs of the garrison 
until a commander-in-chief was sent down from the 
Parliament. 

“The command of the island remaining in the hand 
of Captain Henry Hatsall, a captain of such known 
integrity, that though envious stomachs may rail 
against him, yet they cannot draw off the affections 
of the well-affected in Plymouth, from a high esteem 
of his approved valour and fidelity. 

“The command of the fort is in the hands of Captain- 
Lieutenant Birtch, who intends to keep them, as they 
have signified to the Parliament for them, and none 
else, the garrison of both protesting the same constancy 
and fidelity. 

“On April 16 th, the Mayor of Plymouth and Colonel 
Crocker, having transferred the power they had from 
Colonel Wardlow unto Lieutenant-Colonel Martin 
alone, intelligence having been brought that the 
enemy (near 500) drew near us, and quartered at 



208 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


Saint Budeaux, two miles from Plymouth, (on Devon¬ 
shire side,) Lieutenant-Colonel Martin sent about 600 
commanded musquetiers with some horse to fall upon 
them, 17 colours being sent to face Plympton (a 
grand quarter of the enemy) in the mean time; but 
our forlorn hope of horse by mistake of the guides, 
went one way, and the body of foot another, not¬ 
withstanding our foot comeing up undiscovered, fell 
on the enemy and put them to flight; killed two 
of them, and took in Saint Budeaux Tower and in 
their flight, 44 prisoners, besides Lieutenant Cory, 
(sometime servant to Sir Beville Greenville, Lieut. - 
Colonel,) Porter’s Ensign, three barrels of powder, 
20 horse, and above 100 arms. Major Pollings, 
Captain Yacey, of Tamerton, Captain Tavernon, 
hardly escaping by reason of the absence of our 
horse; most of these prisoners having taken the 
covenant and have taken up arms for us since. 

“On April 19th, 200 musquetiers with some horse 
were commanded to fall on the enemy at Newbridge, 
in the way to Plympton, and the command was that 
our forlorn hope should not fall on until the relief was 
in sight, but disobeying the command, fell on them 
when the relief was a mile behind, yet they beat them 
from hedge to hedge, and one breast work on this side 
the bridge, but their powder being spent, and the 
greatest part of the enemy’s forces at Plympton 
coming to the relief, our forlorn having spent their 
powder, they were compelled to retreat, but fairly 
without the loss of a man, two only being wounded. 

“On April 21st, 40 foot sallied from Prince Pock to 
Pomphlet Mills, (a quarter of the enemy’s) laying in a 


TIIE SIEGE OF PLYMOUTH. 


209 


creek against Prince Bock, the enemy fled like hares, 
and onr men took 1G foot, arms, one drum, five hogs, 
and five cows. 

“As onr forces have not been altogether idle and 
successless on the land, so have they not been 

loiterous at sea,*.being removed, for our 

seamen at three several times, have fallen on the 
enemy’s country and brought away 100 sheep. 

“On April 25th, the packet boat took a bark laden 
with Irish cloth, tallow, hides, etc. And since this, 
another boat has taken a hoy laden with three butts 
of French wine, wherein were three grand Cornish 
cavaliers, and it is without exception that if our ships 
might have commissions to land men on the Cornish 
shore, we should not only help Plymouth to many 
necessaries, but also fill the Cornish hands so full 
with watching their own shores, that they would 
have little liberty, and less heart to fall on Devon¬ 
shire or Plymouth. We cannot conceal what we 
have by our intelligences from the country:— 

“First, we are informed that Shellam Grenville 
builds very much on Fitzford, (I hope castles in the 
air, or houses without foundation,) and boasts of 
having Plymouth speedily, but garrison and Ply¬ 
mouth will not believe him. 

“Second, that the said renegado Grenville hath 
seized on the Lord Bedford’s estate, and Master 
Courtenay’s estate, and sent him prisoner to Exon, 
making havoc of his goods and corn. 

“Third, that the enemy endeavours all he can to 
raise forces to fall on Plymouth, and carry them 


* This blank is in the original MS. 


H 2 




210 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


eastward, threatening to hang such as refuse; and 
haying pressed six in Lifton Parish, (according to 
which proportion, their whole number of pressed 
men will amount to 2,500 in the whole country,) 
they were compelled to send a guard with them to 
Exon. 

“Fourth, that there were very lately expected 7,000 
men to appear at Exeter, (as the cavaliers report,) 
but there appeared but 700, which so moved Sir 
John Berkeley’s worship, that he pressed the con¬ 
stables, a lit reward for their activity. 

“Fifth, that the generality of the country (not¬ 
withstanding the oath,) are well affected to the 
Parliament, but want some to countenance them in 
the country, to cut the cavaliers’ throats to free 
them of their iron bondage. 

“Sixthly, that Arundel of Chiddoek in Dorsetshire, 
a papist, is carrying his goods into Cornwall, and 
hath seized on the Lord Eobert’s children, and 
committed them to safe custody at Bodmin, this is 
confirmed once and again. 

“Seventhly, that the Lords Mohun, Edgecombe, 
and Fane are returned from the feminine junto of 
Oxford. 

“Eightly, that it is reported that the Queen is at 
Exon, where since her arrival, divers warrants have 
have been issued out, to command the train bands 
to make their personal appearance, and to bring all 
fat cattle into the city, whereby it is likely they 
expect a siege. 

“Ninthly, that the King’s privy seals are abroad to 
make up £100,000, given (in words to His Majesty) 


THE SIEGE OP PLYMOUTH. 


211 


tor the recruiting of himself, and is destroying many 
l>y the perjured junto at Oxon. 

“Tenthly, that the country is ordered to prepare 
three subsidies, which they cannot well digest, you 
may visibly see the misery of the county, let not 


the country patriots be forgetfull of that county that 
have expended <£150,000 for their defence, let it not 
seem small that it sits in dust and ashes, like a widow 
looking for help, but none appears; you may see how 
God hath preserved the poor Garrison of Plymouth. 

u On April 25th, the constable of Egg-Buckland 
was brought in hither, who had a warrant from 
Sir Thomas ITele, (not one of the wisest) requesting 
the appearance of his parishioners with the arms at 
Modbury, and for the providing new arms, (if they 
can get them) in the place of such as are wanted. 

“It cannot be superfluous to give intelligence of 
God’s gracious discovery of feminine malignants and 
traitors at Plymouth, one whereof is committed to 
the castle for holding correspondence with the 


enemy. 

“The articles provided against her are, first that 
she sent suits of apparel to one Collins, a renegado 
of Plymouth, who endeavoured with Pike, his con¬ 
sort to betray the town, as in our former narration 
we have expressed. 

“Second, that by message, she discovered to the 
enemy what quantity of powder was in the town. 

“Third, that she invited the enemy to assault the 
town. 

“Pourth, that she desired Major Harris (a cavalier) 
to quarter in her house (vizt.) when she was taken. 


212 HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 

“Fifth, that she seconded her former invitation with 
intreaties, falsely informing him that the Protestant 
religion (since our Covenant) was decayed and breath¬ 
ing its last gasp in Plymouth. 

“For the other virago, we shall let her sleep for a 
while, that her shame and doom may be the heavier. 

“It is not to be omitted, to see how Providence 
watcheth over the town, for though ever since the 
gaining of Mount Stamford, the enemy hath daily 
continued shooting into the town; some days scores 
of great shot liberally spent, yet the hurt that they 
have done is but a trifle, and the people so far from 
being affrighted that they slighted it, being hardened, 
our boat going daily out into the Sound and Mill Pay 
under the mouth of the cannon, and within less than 
musket shot. It is worth knowing for imitation sake, 
that Colonel Gould hath much purged the garrison 
from swearers, drunkards, and abominable livers; 
causing the town and garrison to be very careful 
in observing the Lord’s day, days of humiliation, 
and to be frequently present at the ordinances of 
the Lord of Hosts. 

“Here should follow Sir Bichard Greenville’s letter 
to Colonel Gould, together with the officers and soldiers 
now in the fort; but this letter doth not appear. The 
answer thereto is as follows. 

“The answer of the Commanders of the Garrison to 
Sir Bichard Greenville’s letter:— 

“Sir,—Though your letter meriting the highest 
contempt and scorn, which once we thought fit by 
our silence (judging it unworthy of our answer) to 
have testified; yet considering that yourself intend to 




THE SIEGE OF PLYMOUTH. 


213 


make it publick, we offer you these lines that the 
world may see what esteem we have of the man, 
notorious for apostacy and treachery; and that we 
are ready to dispute the justness and equity of our 
cause in any lawful way, whereto the enemy shall at 
any time challenge us. You might well have spared 
the giving us an account of your dissimulation with 
the Parliament, we were soon satisfied, and our 
wonder is not so great that you are now gone from 
us, as at first, when we understood of your engage¬ 
ments to us, and to tell you truth, it pleased us not 
so well to hear you were named to be governor of this 
place, as now it doth to hear you are in arms against 
us, accounting ourselves safer to have you an enemy 
abroad, than a pretended friend at home, being per¬ 
suaded that your principles could not afford cordial 
endeavours for an honest cause. 

“You tell us of the pretended Houses of Parliament 
in London, a threadbare scandal suck’t from Aulicus, 
whose reward or bp. blessing you may chance to be 
honoured with for your court service, and how they 
make religion the cloak of rebellion, a garment which 
we are confident your rebellion will never be clad with; 
you advise us to consider the great charges we have 
been at, and the future charges we run ourselves into 
by making ourselves enemies to His Majesty, who 
more desires our good than we ourselves, and thence 
would have us propose conditions for peace. 

“That we have been at great charges already we 
are sufficiently sensible, and yet resolve that it shall 
not any way lessen our affections to that cause, with 
which God has honoured us, by making us instru- 


214 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


ments to plead it against the malicious adversaries. 
If the King be our enemy, yet Oxford cannot prove 
that we have made him so. That His Majesty desires 
our welfare we can easily admit, as well as that it is 
his mischievous counsellors so near him who render 
him so cruel to his most faithful subjects, and as for 
proposing conditions for peace, we shall most gladly 
do it, when it may advance the public service, but 
to do it to the enemies of peace though we have 
been thereto formally invited, yet hath it pleased the 
Disposer of All Things to preserve us from the necess¬ 
ity of it, and to support us against the fury of the 
enraged enemy. The same God is still our rock and 
refuge, under whose wings we doubt not of protection 
and safety, when the seducers of a King shall die like 
a candle, and that name, which by such courses 
is sought to be perpetual in honour, shall end in 
ignominy. 

“For the want of money to pay the Parliament 
Soldiers, though it be not such as you would persuade 
us, yet certain we are, their treasury had now been 
greater and honest men better satisfied, but that some 
as unfaithful as yourself, have gone before you in 
betraying them, both of their trust and riches; 
whereas you remind us of the lost condition of our 
own town, sure it cannot be, you should be so truly 
persuaded of it, as they are of your personal, who 
subscribe themselves and so remain, 

Friends to the Faithful.” 


1643.—John Cawse, Mayor. Fort Batten built. 
“It is remarkable that during the siege, when the 



SCHEDULE OF SHOEMAKERS* PRICES. 


215 


inhabitants were in great want of provisions, a large 
quantity of pilchards came within the Barbican, so 
that the people could take them with ease in baskets.” 

The following curious document is an agreement 
as to prices to be paid by the Master Shoemakers of 
Plymouth to their journeymen for various descriptions 
of work :— 

“We whose names are underwritten, Master Shoe¬ 
makers and Inhabitants of the Borough of Plymouth, 
upon a general meeting, and knowing the extra¬ 
ordinary charges that journeymen of our trade have 
put us unto, by a generall consent, doe between us 
absolutely conclude and agree that neither of us shall 
henceforth entertaine or receive any journeyman to 
work, unless it be upon the same conditions and 
usuall prizes, which heretofore they were accustomed 
to have. And further we doe also conclude and agree, 
that if any journeyman shall upon any pretended 
matter leave needlessly his said master, then none of 
us shall or will entertayne him into any of our works 
or services without the privity of his saide master, 
but by his consent from whom he so departed. Which 
said journeymen were formerly to have according to 
these prizes following, viz:— 

First for French heele boots. xijc/. 

u for woodden heele boots . xd. 

u for French heele shoos. \id. 

“ for footing of French heele boots. vi ijd. 

“ for wodden heele shooes & fale shooes ... iiijd?. 

u for playne shooes. iij^. 

For the true performance of which said conditions 




216 


HISTORY OF riA r MOUTH. 


and order we do eacli of ous bynd ourselves, our 
executors, administrators and assignes unto the other, 
theire executors and administrators in the full summe 
of live pounds of lawfull money of England. In 
witnes whereof we have each of us hereunder severally 
sett our hands this 17th day of Aprill, 1643. 


Bichard Bandell. 
Bichard Dimery. 
Boger Hooke. 
Williame Webb. 
Josiah Monyen. 
Bichard Morgan. 
John Kempe. 
Thomas Spry. 


John Haythorne. 
Jonathan Ereythie. 
John Lufe. 

Wiliam Dundrich. 

The mark (B) of 

Christopher Burd. 
Francis Lange. 
Phillip Prouse. 


“I, Francis Pavey of Plymouth, Notary and Tabellion 
Publique, doe certifie that the orders above written 
concluded on as abovesaid, were soe done really in the 
presense of me the said notary; witnes both hand and 
seale being requested so to doe. 

_ Per me Fraxciscijm Pavey, 

L - s - JSforinm. Pubcum. e f TabellionemP 

Endorsed—“The Shomakers’ complants the 12th of 
Maye, 1643, being a rate for ther worke.” 

1644. —Justinian Peard, Mayor. 

1645. —Bartholomew Nicols, Mayor. “The New 
Church called Charles’ Church, in Plymouth, begun.” 

1646. —Christopher Ceely or Seeley, Mayor. This 
year the Mayor and Corporation leased the market 









AUGMENTATION OF LIVINGS. 


217 


with all tolls, rights and privileges for five years, to 
Christopher Ryder, gentleman, and Arthur Bickford, 
yeoman, both of Plymouth, at a yearly rental of 
£ 10 . 

“Proposed subscription to augment the yearly 
income of the Yicars of Saint Andrew and Charles, 
and also to provide a lecturer for Saint Andrew’s 
at £80. 

“We whose name are subscribed, doe promise 
quarterly to pay the respective sums by us severally 
underwritten, to such person or persons as shall be 
appointed by the maior of this borough to collect 
the same for and during the space of five years, 
from the 29th day of September last past, towards 
the maintenance of a lecturer, to preach once in the 
week, in the church of Saint Andrew, within this 
borough, as hath been accustomed, and towards the 
raisinge so much money as shall be needful to make 
the rent and profits belonging to the vicarage of 
Saint Andrew, £200 per annum, and the rent and 
profittes of the vicarage of Charles’ Church £100 
per annum, which we have thought good to under¬ 
take for the better incouragement of the ministers 
now living with us. And for the said lecturer it 
is agreed that he shall have £80 per annum. Ply¬ 
mouth, 3rd of November, 1646.” (Here follows a 
very long list of persons who subscribed, with the 
amount of their subscriptions sett opposite their 
names). 

1647. — Richard Evans, Mayor. “The Queen, 
Prince, etc., fly into Prance. The King brought to 


218 


HISTOEY OF FLYMOUTH. 


Westminster, where a High Court of Justice, as 
these villains called themselves, was erected. 11 

1648. —Timothy Alsop, Mayor. 

1649. —Oliver Ceely or Seeley, Mayor. 

1650. —Bobert Gubbes, Mayor. 

1651. —Philip Francis, Mayor. “A war between 
the English and Hutch, August 16th, 1652, Sir 
G. Askew and I)e Buyter fight before Plymouth; 
General Blake beates them in divers fights, and at 
length, July, 1653, our Immortal Monk beates them 
on their own coast, where the great General Tromp 
was slain.’ 1 

In this year a Yarn Market that had used formerly 
to be held in the churchyard was revived, as is 
shown by the following extract from the Corporation 
Becords:— 

u January 31st, 1651.—Whereas there hath been 
antiently a Yarn Market weekly kept within this 
borough, (though for some late years intermitted,) 
it is this day in open sessions, upon due consider¬ 
ation thereupon had, and for divers goqd reasons 
then alledged, as well for the public good of the 
adjacent parts, as for the benefit of this place, 
ordered and hereby published and declared, that 
on Thursday, the 26th of February next, there 
be a Yarn Market kept within this borough, in 
the churchyard, between the hours of 10 and 12 
in the forenoon, and so weekly on Thursdays, 
thenceforward to continue. And all persons who are 







DEATH OF BLAKE. 


219 


concerned herein, may take notice that they may 
come and attend on the days and time and at the 
place aforesaid, and then and there buy and sell 
wool yarn as formerly, and have the weighing of the 
yarn free for one year next ensuing.” 

1652. —John Maddock, Mayor. 

1653. —Rickard Spurvvell, Mayor. “13rave Penru- 
dick, Graves, etc. rising for the King, were taken 
by perfidious Crook at South Molton in this county, 
and beheaded.” 

1654. —John Page, Mayor. Christopher Ceely or 
Seeley, Merchant, and William Yeo, Esq., Members 
for Plymouth. “ The Almshouses on north side of 
Saint Andrew’s Church built; known as the Old 
Church Twelves.” 

1655. —Christopher Ceely or Seeley, again Mayor. 
The Leather Hall built. 

1656. —Justinian Peard, Mayor. John Maynard, 
Esq., Serjeant-at-Law, and Timothy Alsop, Merchant, 
Members for Plymouth. “ Blake grown sickly, 
returns home, and in sight of this port dyeth, was 
embalmed, his bowells buryed here by the mayor’s 
seat door; his corpse at Westminster among the 
Kings.” Charles’ Church consecrated by I)r. Gill, 

Bishop of Exeter. 

% 

1657. —William Jeffery, Mayor. “The new Sham¬ 
bles in the midst of the Old Town-street built. The 







220 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


new Free School finished.” 


Charles’ Church was as 


appears from the following entry in the “ Black 
Book” of the Corporation, finished building in this 
year. “1657,—In this yere was the New Church 
called Charles’ Church finished, though long in 
building; and some disturbance by a paltry pretended 
churchwarden, etc., yett by God’s goodness carried 
on, we hope to His glory.” 


1658. — Samuel Northcote, Mayor. Christopher 
Ceely or Seeley, Esq., and Timothy Alsop, Esq., 
Members for Plymouth. 


1659.—John King, Mayor. “The mayor and 
several of the bench lost their places, for not 
renouncing the Covenant.” 

“In this year the Freemen of the town first voted 
at the election of Members of Parliament, which 
privilege had been refused them some time.” 

“King Charles II. was proclaymed in Plymouth 
with great tryumphe, the cunditts running two days 
with wyne, and shortly after a curious present of rare 
wrought plate was presented to His Majesty by this 
Corporation, which was graciously accepted.” 


1660.—Oliver Ceely or Seeley, Mayor. John All¬ 
ward, of Plymouth, for speaking treason beheaded, 
and his head set on the Guildhall. 


“September 6th, 1660, peace between England and 
Spaine was proclaimed at Plymouth, and in the same 
month the Spanish Ambassador arrived at this town 




gifford’s ejection. 221 

and was banquetted at the towne’s cost.” Two royal 
pieces of plate were presented to the King on his 
restoration. 

It is stated that in this year a party of horse 

soldiers was ordered from the Garrison at Ply¬ 

mouth to dispossess the Rev. Arthur Gifford, or 
Giffard, 13.D., who had been presented to the living 
of Bideford by Sir Bevil or Sir John Granville. 
Mr. Gifford was dispossessed of his living by the 
committee for plundering, or as it was termed, 
sequestration, of all the loyal and orthodox clergy, 
in the latter case, chiefly at the instigation of his 
curate or lecturer, William Bartlett. Concerning the 
manner of his ejection, Mr. Prince only says, “It 

was by force and violence against law and con¬ 

science.” Dr. Walker however, is more particular 
and informs us that “The old gentleman did not 
quietly give up his living, and therefore a party 
of horse was ordered to force him out of it by 
violence, which they did and used him barbarously, 
throwing dirt upon him and some spitting at him 
as he passed along the streets.” 

Calamy labours hard to disprove the charges 
alleged by Dr. Walker against the sequestrators, 
and particularly their assistant Bartlett, in the case 
of Mr. Gifford; concerning the manner of the latter’s 
ejection, he says, “I have this account from some 
credible persons, who were then upon the spot. It 
seems after his sequestration he refused to resign, 
and having got a body of men into the parsonage 
house, which stands alone by itself, he undertook 


222 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


to defend it, and maintained possession. Upon this, 
a party of liorse was ordered from the Garrison at 
Plymouth to dispossess him. The commanding officer 
came with his troop to Bideford in the evening, and 
resolving to execute his commission that night, rode 
up to the house, and found the door shut against him. 
He demanded entrance, and said he would use no 
violence if Mr. Gilford and those within, would 
surrender themselves, otherwise he should he obliged 
to lire upon the house. Mr. Gilford finding the house 
beset, desired the liberty of conversing with the 
captain for which he had an opportunity given him 
at one of the windows of the house, they soon came 
to an agreement, Mr. Gilford and those within sur¬ 
rendered themselves prisoners; and my informants 
declare that Mr. Gilford was conducted to the 
captain’s lodgings without any abuse that they 
know of, olfered by the way. The captain at 
length very civilly olfered him the liberty of 
returning back to his oa\oi house, provided he 
would give him security for his forthcoming the 
next morning, which Mr. Gilford did, and the next 
day was carried by the same party of horse to 
Plymouth.” 

u Such is Hr. Calamy’s circumstantial account, and 
evident partial softening of this iniquitous transaction; 
if any unbiassed reader can, after a perusal of it, 
think that Mr. Gilford was very civilly treated, or 
that no manner of afifont was offered to him, such 
reader I will be bold to say, must have the feelings 
of an inquisitor, and the Christian charity of a 
republican fanatic. Hr. Calamy’s informants he 


gifford’s ejection. 223 

says, were credible persons, but he should certainly 
have mentioned their names, to judge what degree of 
credit was due to them. Upon this worthy confessor’s 
ejection, the committee of robbers or sequestrators, 
put Mr. Bartlett into the jiossession of the rectory. 
He was an independent of the most violent stamp, 
and pursued Mr. Gifford with a spirit of persecution, 
for when the “Beverend and Pious Divine” says Mr. 
Prince, “ would have served a small parish, called 
Westleigh opposite Bytheford, on the east side of the 
Biver Touridge, not for reward, but for what they 
would voluntarily contribute,” (and Dr. Walker adds 
that he requested liberty to keep a school some¬ 
where near the town,) such was the uncharitable 
zeal of that lordly independent preacher, William 
Bartlett, who by a prevailing rebellion had gotten 
into his parsonage and would not permit him so 
much as that. After this cruel treatment, Mr. 
Gifford retired to the house of his brother-in-law, 
Philip Harris Esq., Becorder of Great Torrington, 
where he lived privately and peaceably, expecting 
better times, which at length God was pleased to 
send again, upon the restoration of King Charles 
II, when Mr. Gifford returned unto his charge at 
Bideford, where he continued in peace and love with 
all good men unto the day of his death, which was 
about eight years after. 

“He was an able scholar, a constant and painful 
preacher, an orthodox divine, and a pious good man, 
he died at Bytheford, March 18th, 1668, and was 
buried in the parish church there, without any 
sepulchral monument, ’ ’ 


224 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


1661.—William Allen, Mayor. “ Commissioners 
regulate Corporations, turn out Mr. Hughes from 
being vicar, Mr. Allen from being mayor, etc.; Mr, 
William Jennens was put in by them, August 24th, 
and chosen by the Freemen, and served the year 
following.” 


1662.—William Jennens, Mayor. Hr. Ashton, 
chosen Yicar of Saint Andrew’s. 

“This mayor engaged the town in a law suit 
against my Lord Arundel for Sutton Pool, and after 
the fatal expence of <£2,500 were cast, and lost 
the pool, which was worth £100 per annum, and 
had been in the town’s hand many years.” 

“Those who refused to conform to the rights of 
the Church of England were silenced. Hr. Ashton, 
chosen Yicar of Saint Andrew’s; George Hughes, 
father-in-law of the eminent Mr. Eowe, confined 
at Saint Nicholas’ Island. About the same time 
Mr. Abraham Chear was also confined at the same 
prison.” “The Workhouse revived.” 

The following curious entry by the mayor of 
this year, occurs in the Corporation Records:— 

“1658 and 1659.—Whereas William Jefferie, 
above-named, assumes the honor of finishing the 
New Church, foulie aspersing myself the then 
churchwarden, whereas it is well known to the 
whole town I was under God* a main instrument 
to bring the saide church to be first preached in, 
without helpe from the said Jefferie, but to the 





DECLARATIONS OF MAYORS. 225 

contrary the worke obstructed by him, and others 
then in government, as to the other parte of his 
cronologie, let the proclaiming Bichard (Cromwell) 
with acclamations be accompted as an instance of 
his rebellious affection to God, the King and his 
country, by advancing the continuance of succession 
to horrid rebels and rebellion.—William Jenncns, 
Mayor, 1662 and 1663.” 

1663. —John Harris, Mayor. “Borough of Ply¬ 
mouth, 1663.—I do declare that I hold that there 
lyes noe obligation upon me or any other person from 
the oath, commonly called the Solemne League and 
Covenant, and that the same was in ittselfe an unlawful 
oathe, and imposed upon the subjects of this realme, 
against the known lawes and liberties of the kingdom. 
Signed .—John Harris.” 

“This declaration made and subscribed by John 
Harris, Merchant, Maior of Plymouth, in the 
Guildhall of the said burrough, the 29 th day of 
September, 1663, being Miclnelmas Hay, at the 
time when he was sworne maior for the yeere, 
then next following, according to the Act of 
Parliament in that behalfe made. 

“The above declaration was also then made and 
subscribed by William Jennens, Merchant. Signed .— 
William Jennens.” 

1664. —John Martin, Mayor. “Hr. Seth Ward, 
Bishop of Exeter, enmeth his triennial visitation 
and consecrateth the Hew Church, by the name of 
Charles’ Church.” 







226 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


1665. —William Harpur, Mayor. “The church¬ 
yard enclosed by Mr. Schagell, Churchwarden.” 

“ The royal Cittadell began to be built, and 
carried far on this year, September 3rd, 1666.” 

1666. —George Strelley, Mayor. “The Guildhall 
new built.” “The Dutch, while we were treating 
with them, and no navy at sea, came on our coast, 
burnt several navy ships at Chatham, and De Ruyter 
being Admiral, came on our western coast, and 
divers times anchored in the sound, but did no 
harm.” 

The following is the form of writ issued this year 
by the High Sheriff, John Kelland, Esq., to the 
Mayor of Plymouth, for the election of a Member 
of Parliament for that borough, in the room of 
Samuel Trelawney, Esq., deceased:— 

“Devon.—John Ivelland, Esq., High Sheriff of the 
county aforesaid. 

“To the Mayor of the Towne and Burrough of Ply¬ 
mouth greetinge. By vertue of His Majesty’s writt, 
to me directed, bearing date the twentyeth day of this 
instant moneth of September, for the continuinge of 
the Parlyament begaune and held at Westminster, 
the eighth day of May, in the thirteenth yeare of the 
raigne of Kinge Charles the Second, over England, 
etc., (His Majesty that now is,) and from thence by 
divers prorogacons until the three and twentyeth day of 
April last past; and from thence the said Parlyament 
being prorogued unto the eighteenth day of September 
last past, then and there holden. These are therefore 
to will and require you, that with all convenient speed 



WRIT FOR ELECTION OF A BURGESS. 


227 


after the receipt hereof, you do elect and druse in 
the place and steed of Samuel Trelawney, Esq., late 
one of the burgesses chosen, appointed and returned 
according to the forme of the statute in that case 
made and provided, for your burrough, for this present 
Parlyament (in the Lower House for the Comonialtie of 
this kingdome of England) deceased, one other burgess 
for your said burrough, of the most discreet and 
sufficient, according to ye forme of the statute there¬ 
upon made and provided. Making first proclamation 
thereof of the daye and place for ye doing of the same. 
And that you summon and warne such person as you 
shall soe elect and chuse, to be forthwith at this pre¬ 
sent Parlyament in the said Lower House, for the said 
Comonialtie of the said kingdome, now sitting at West¬ 
minster. And that hee have full and sufficient power 
to doe and consent unto those things which then and 
there shall have to bee ordained for the good and safety 
of the Church and Kingdom; and also the you certify 
mee by your writing indented to be made betwixt mee 
of the one part and you of the other part, under your 
common seale or seales, (as usual in such cases) at the 
next county day to be liolden at the Castle of Exeter, 
(being the sixteenth day of October next cominge) of 
your said election, and the name of such person, which 
you shall soe elect. And hereof you may not fade at 
your utmost perrills. Given under my seale of office, 
this six and twentieth day of September, in the xviijth 
yeare of the raigne of our said Souvraigne Lord Charles 
the Second, by the grace of God of England, Scotland, 
France and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, etc. 
Anno Domini 16GG.— John Kelland, Vic.” 



228 


HISTORY OR PLYMOUTH. 


1667.—Thomas Stutt, Mayor. “Peace with 
Holland, etc.; just upon the election of this man, 
Lambert, that arch rebell, brought prisoner to this 
Island, Saint Nicholas.” 


1668. —William Symons, Mayor. “March, 1668, 
Cosmo de Medicis, Prince of Tuscany came to Ply¬ 
mouth, and after two days, travelled for London.” 

1669. —Daniel Barker or Booker, Mayor. 


'1670.—William Cotton, Mayor. This year the 
building of the Citadel having been completed, the 
King, with the Dukes of York and Monmouth, and 
a large retinue, on the 17th of July visited Plymouth 
to inspect it, and, of course, the town was put to 
considerable expense in fees to His Majesty and to 
his various retainers. The following account of these 
expenses is extracted from Heebie’s MS. 

£ s. d. 


“Gave King Charles 150 pieces of gold 
Purse to put it in 
Lingers ... 

King and Dukes’ Footmen and Guards 
at the Fort ... 

For making a Stage for His Majesty to 
stand on upon the New Quay 
For removing timber and cleaning streets 
Gentlemen Ushers daily waiting 
Gentlemen Ushers Privy Chamber 
Serj eant at Arines 
Gentlemen Ushers Quarter Waiters 
Servers of the Chamber 


172 10 0 

0 5 6 
2 0 0 

3 17 6 

2 11 2 
1 11 6 
5 0 0 
5 0 0 
3 6 8 

10 0 
10 0 





EOYAL VISIT TO THE CITADEL. 


229 


£ s. a. 

Serjeants and Trumpeters ... ... 3 16 9 


To the Pages of the Presence ... ... 0 10 5 

Knight Marshalls ... ... ... 100 

Knight Harbingers ... ... ... 3 6 8 

Yeomen Ushers ... ... ... ... 1 0 0 

Grooms of the Chamber ... ... 1 0 0 

Footmen, Serjeants, Porter ... ... 3 0 0 

Yeomen of the Month ... ... ... 2 0 0 

Porters of the Gate ... ... ... 1 0 0 

Coachmen ... ... ... ... 0 10 0 

Surveyors of the Ways... ... ... 1 10 0 

Yeomen Harbingers ... ... ... 26 8 


£219 1 8” 

“ July 17th following, His Majesty, King Charles 
II, the Duke of York and the Duke of Monmouth, 
came hither by sea, and lodged in the Old Fort, (the 
houses in the Citadell not finished) and returned as 
far as Dartmouth by sea.” u Weights and measures 
of the town reformed, and the town bushel set up in 
the Market-place.” 

“A new Citadel having been built at Plymouth, 
His Majesty, King Charles II, came by water to view 
it, and on his return to London, taking Exeter in his 
route, lie was received by the Mayor, Chamber, and 
Incorporated Trades, at the West Gate, and after the 
usual solemnities of presenting the city regalia, keys 
of the gates, etc., he was conducted to the Dean’ry 
where he lodged the night. During his stay, the 
Mayor, Aldermen and Members of the Common 











230 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


Council were admitted into liis presence, and had 
the honour of kissing his hand. He also knighted 
the Mayor, Benjamin Oliver, Esq. The next morn¬ 
ing he pursued his journey.”* 

1671. —Peter Schagell, Mayor. “ Three new maces 
made for the Corporation. The water conveyed into 
the trennell of the Broad-street, and that which leadeth 
to Dung Ivey.” “The compass new erected on the 
Hoe.” 

1672. —John Lanyon, Mayor. “The Exchange 
or Walk on the Hew Quay built. Sir John Skelton, 
Lieutenant-Governour of the Cittadell dyeth; Colonel 

* Hugh Piper (afterward knighted) succeeds him. The 
debts of the town paid. The poor children clothed in 
red, maintained and set at work, in the Poors’ Portion. 
Houses of office made on the quays. The new Pounds 
built.” “ Sir Francis Drake’s compass, on the Hoe, 
repaired for <£17 18s .”—Corporation Records. 

1673. —Henry Webb, Mayor. “The Walk or 
or Exchange on the Southside built, Lord Chief 
Justice Eainsford came to see the town. A fire 
engine with buckets, etc. brought to Plymouth.” 

The following account for the making of a suit 
and cloak for the Town Clerk is highly interesting 
and curious:— 

“A Bill from Mr. Henry Watts,” (Town Clerk of 
Plymouth,) viz:— 


* Jenkin’s Exeter, p. 177. 





COST OF TOWN CLERK’S 

ROBES. 


231 




£ 

s. 

a. 

It 

For makeing a Sute and Cloake ... 

00 

16 

00 

It- 

11 yards of Serge at 4 s. 4 d. 

per 





yard . 

• • • 

02 

07 

00 

It 

For o yards of Florence Sarsnett 

01 

05 

06 

It 

—Belly peeces, Coller, liookes 

and 





eyes 

• • • 

00 

01 

00 

It 

—Dyed Lining for ye Hose 

• • • 

00 

03 

06 

It 

—Ferrett Bibbin for ye Knees 

• • • 

00 

01 

00 

It 

—Pockets for Snte and Coate 

• • • 

00 

01 

06 

It 

—Silke to make it ... 

• • • 

00 

03 

00 

It 

—Galloone ... 

• • • 

00 

01 

03 

It 

—For pincking ye Lineing... 

• • • 

00 

05 

06 

It 

—2 yards | Fustian 

• • • 

00 

02 

11 

It 

—Stayes and Stifening for it 

• • • 

00 

02 

00 

It 

—8 yards 4 of Bressel’s Camblett ... 

03 

03 

09 

It 

—8 yards | Slialloone at 3s. 8d. 

per 





yard 

... 

01 

05 

06 

It.- 

—For siseing ye Cloake and Yest ... 

00 

01 

06 

It 

—Buckram and Stifening for 

y e 





Cloake ... 


00 

01 

06 

It. 

—10 dozen Buttons 

• • • 

00 

07 

06 

It. 

—One paire Stockings 

• • • 

00 

06 

06 

It 

—On peece and a lialfe Bibbin 

• • • 

00 

15 

06 

It 

—For one Box 

• • • 

00 

02 

00 

It 

—For mending a Coate, and Silke ... 

00 

00 

06 

It. 

—Bibbin for a Shoulder Knott 

• •« 

00 

02 

06 

It 

1 dozen Buttons ... 

• • • 

00 

00 

06 

167 

3, October 09th. 





It.- 

—For makeing a Yest 

•«• 

00 

04 

00 

It.- 

—3 yards | Flowed Silk at 9 s. 

8d. 





per yard 

• • • 

01 

11 

06 
























232 HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 



£ 

s. 

d. 

It .—One yard of Sarsnett 

00 

08 

06 

It. —2 yards ^ of Fustian 

00 

03 

01 

It. —2 yards Callacoe for a Middle 




Lining ... 

00 

02 

04 

It. —Silke and Buttons 

00 

02 

02 

It .—A Colter, Eyes and Galloone 

00 

01 

00 

It. —Stayes for it 

00 

01 

06 

It .—For siseing ye Vest 

00 

01 

00 


£14 

12 

06 

Deceived in part of this Bill at two 




severall payments ye summ of Eleaven 




Pounds, I say reed, in part ... 

11 

00 

00 

Best to pay more ... 

£03 

12 

06 

Since, all pd.” 




1674. — Willian Weekes, Mayor. 

“ Lor 

d Chief 


Justice North came to see the torvn. ” 


lG75.—John Dell, Mayor. 

1676.—Andrew Horsman, Mayor. “August, 1676, 
His Majesty and the Duke of York came by water to 
this town, staid two days, Ilis Majesty touch’t for the 
evil in our Great Church, dined at Mr. Edgcumbe’s, 
and returned by sea.” While here, the King under a 
canopy of state in Saint Andrew’s Church attended 
divine service and touched several persons for the 
King’s evil. He dined at Mount Edgcumbe, and 
paid many visits in the neighbourhood. 

“October 2nd, 1676, the Duke of Albemarle came 
to the town, and with near 40 gentlemen attending 















ELECTION OF A VICAR. 


233 


him, were made free of our Corporation; Bishop Lam- 
plugh made his triennial visitation. Judge Jones came 
to see the town, and lay at the mayor’s. Dr. Ashton, 
Vicar of Saint Andrew’s, dying, Mr. Henry Greins- 
worth of Saint Udy in Cornwall succeeded.” 

1677. —William Tom, Mayor. About this time it 
appears the remains of the Castle were taken down or 
destroyed. 

1678. —John Munyon, Mayor. The Barbican was 
rebuilt in this year. 

1679. — James Hull, Mayor. “Mr. Greinsworth 
our vicar, dying August 12tli, great dispute arose 
about a successor, the rivals were Mr. John Gilbert, 
of Collumpton, recommended by the Bishop; Mr. 
Amos Crymes, of Exeter Colledge; Mr. Nicholas 
Claggett, of Saint Edmunds-Bury, recommended by 
Dr. Stillingfleet and Dr. Tillotson; and Mr. Honneck, 
preacher at the Savoy, hut by reason of jarring they 
went not to election until November, in the mayoralty 
of Mr. William Symons.” 

“Charles’ Almshouse at the head of New Church- 
lane now called Green-street, built by the bounty of 
Mr. Lanyon and others, for 40 poor persons.” 

1680. —William Symons, Mayor. “When the com¬ 
petition lay between Mr. Claggett and Mr. Honneck, 
the Mayor and three Magistrates with eight Common 
Councell Men appeared for the former, eight Magis¬ 
trates, and three Common Conncell for the latter, but 
finding their party inferior they withdrew and putting 






234 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


in Caveats, we had a Tryal Jus Patronatus , where 
the election was made null, and the vicaridge suffered 
to lapse, and the Bishop collated it to Mr. John 
Gilbert above mentioned, who indeed proved a most 
worthy man, though Mr. Claggett was liked by most. 
From hence grew great anamosityes in the govern¬ 
ment, hut indifferently composed by the next mayor.” 


CHAPTER VI. 


ANNALS CONTINUED PROM THE YEAR 1680 TO 1720. 

1681. —Daniel Barker, Mayor. “Who was a 
prudent wary man, and endeavoured as much, as 
possible to accommodate all the differences.” “Mr. 
James Yonge was chosen churchwarden this year, 
of Saint Andrew’s Parish, who rebuilt the gallery, 
painted it, set up the King’s, Town’s and Bishop’s 
arms thereon, as also the picture of King Charles the 
Martyr, with pertinent inscription; made a new clock, 
paynted a very great part of the roof, built divers 
new seats in the chancell, and yet left his successor 
above <£50 stock.” 

1682. —Peter Foot, Mayor. “June 1683, was 
discovered the damn’d fanatical plott, the design was 
to kill the King and Duke as they came from Hay- 
market, and set up the Duke of Monmouth, but were 
miraculously prevented. Several came in and con¬ 
fessed, as West, Lord Howard, Shepheard, Rumbold, 
etc. Others were taken and executed, Walcot Rowse, 
Bond and Hallaway, contest all at their execution, 
Lord Russell and Mr. Algernon Sidney, indirectly, 

but Sir Thomas Armstrong denyed all. Earl Essex 

• _ _ • 

cutt his throat in the Tower, my Lord Lansdown and 
Lady came hither. The Bishop made his triennial 


236 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


visitation; our contentions revived by the folly of this 
man, sett ns anew into a flame, and at last broke the 
government in pieces, for influenced by Mr. Jennens, 
a crafty spightfnll man, (the mayor being a pevish 
talkative idiot) studied all the ways of affronting the 
Common Conncell, but chiefly by chusing a new way 
viz:—without the assistance of the Common Councell 
by the Magistrates; thus they chose William Martin 
and Joseph Webb, and immediately made the former 
a magistrate. This begat great regret, bnt soon after 
the fopp passing a judgment against the King in a 
tryal about the excise, he was called before the 
Councell, reprimanded, and the Attorney-General 
ordered to issue a quo warranto against the charter. 
This made the Common Councell quiet, knowing it 
were in vain to dispute about a government that 
would not long subsist. ” 

1683.—William Martin, Mayor. “This man was 
chosen a magistrate an unusual way, yet being loyal, 
was almost unanimously elected, but scarce had he sat 
three months before a quo warranto came against our 
charter, Mr. Mayor called us all together, and after 
some debate, it was put to the vote, and only Mr. 
Jennens, Mr. Cotton, Mr. Barker, Mr. Symons and 
Captain Cows opposed, the rest agreed to a surrender. 
Accordingly it was carryed up by the Mayor, his 
father, Mr. Pollexfen the Town Clerk, Mr. Horsman, 
Mr. Ackerman, Mr. Berry and servants, and surren¬ 
dered to His Majestie at Windsor. Mr. Ilorsman 
and one of the serjeants dyed in London, and Mr. 
Mayor came away sick. 




237 


ARRIVAL OF THE NEW CHARTER. 

“June.—The new charter which His Majestie was 
pleased to grant us, arrived, was met at Kidgway by 
the Mayor, Governour and above 300 horse, brought to 
the Guildhall and there read over, then carried to the 
mayor’s house, and a treat being provided, the King’s, 
Duke’s, etc. healths were drunk; the Citadel, Island 
and ships in the harbour firing guns for near an hour, 
having all their flags flying; the Town Standard also 
met the charter at the Gate, and was carried by Lt. 
Deptford before it, till it was lodged; the bells rang 
all the while, at night abundance of buiihres, etc. 

“Easter Day, my Lord Dartmouth arrived in Ply¬ 
mouth from Tangier, which he demolished, and 
brought off the garrison, etc.; left a company of 
foot here, and took with him those which were 
here in garrison before. 

“In March, Sir J. Jeffery the famous loyal Lord 
Chief Justice, came hither from Launceston Assize, 
lay at the mayor’s, viewed the Cittadel and Mount 
Edgcumbe. 

“The winter of this year proved very severe, east 
wind, frost and snow continued three months, so that 
ships were starved in the mouth of the channel, and 
almost all the cattle famished, the fish left the coast 
almost five months, all provisions excessive dear, and 
had we not had frequent supply from the east, corn 
would have been at 30 shillings per bushel, above 
130,000 bushels being imported hither, besides what 
went to Dartmouth, Fowey, etc.” 

“Lambert, that old rebel, dyed this winter on 
Plymouth Island, where he had been a prisoner 15 
years and more.” 



238 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


The following are the documents, relating to the 
surrender of the old charters to the King, and the 
applying for their renewal:— 

“To all Christian people to whom these presents 
shall come or any way concerne. The Maior and 
Cominalty of the Burrougli of Plymouth, in the 
County of Devon, send greeting in our Lord God 
everlasting. 

“Whereas the Maior, Magistrates and fower and 
twenty of this Burrougli of Plymouth in Common 
Councill, in the Guildhall of the borough aforesaid, 
lately assembled, did for severall great and weighty 
reasons, determine and resolve freely to grant, sur¬ 
render, and yield upp unto His Most Sacred Majesty, 
Charles the Second, by the grace of God of England, 
Scotland, Prance, and Ireland, King, Defender of the 
Faith, etc., all and every the liberties, priviledges and 
franchises whatsoever, of and heretofore granted to 
and invested in the Maior and Cominalty of this 
Burrougli of Plymouth; together with their charter 
and charters by which they are incorporated and 
endowed by his said Sacred Majesty, and all or any 
of his most royall ancestors, Kings and Queens of 
this realme. And in order thereunto, have also, now 
being in Common Council assembled, agreed and 
determined, from the great trust and confidence that 
they have and repose in William Martyn, Merchant, 
now Maior of the said borough, John Martyn, Esq., 
Andrew Horsman, Merchant, Edmund Pollexfen, Esq., 
Captain Stephen Ackerman and Kobert Berry, Gentle¬ 
man, (all of Plymouth aforesaid) to intrust and commit 
and hereby doe intrust and commit, into their custody 


THE OLD AND NEW CHARTERS. 


239 


and care, the charter and charters, and also the 
common Seale of this burrough or Corporation, to 
be carryed by them, or the major part of them, to 
London or elsewhere, in the kingdom of England. 
And doe hereby impower and authorize them or the 
major part of them, to sett or affix the same common 
Seale to any instrument or writeing, to be drawne 
and prepared and by them or the major part of them 
agreed unto or approved of, for the granting, conveying 
or passing over to any person or persons whatsoever, 
their goods and chattels; and also all or any the 
manors, messuages, mills, lands, tenements, kayes, 
advowsons, rents, services and hereditaments what¬ 
soever, whereof the said Maior and Cominalty are 
now seised of any estate of inheritance, either in the 
right of the said Maior and Cominalty or any way in 
trust howsoever for any person or persons whatsoever, 
with all and singular their appurtenances. And further 
doe by these presents, impower and authorize the said 
William Martyn, now Maior of the said borough, and 
John Martyn, Andrew Horsman, Edmund Pollexfen, 
Stephen Ackerman and Eobert Berry, or the major 
part of them, to put or affix the common Seale of 
the said burrough or Corporation to any instrument or 
writeing that shall be drawne and prepared, and by 
them, or the major part of them, consented to and 
agreed on, for the granting, surrendering and yielding 
upp unto His Most Sacred Majesty, King Charles the 
Second, his heires and successors, all or any their 
goods and chattels; and also all or any the manors, 
messuages, mills, lands, tenements, kayes, advowsons, 
rents, services and hereditaments; and all and every 


240 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


the liberties, priviledges and franchises whatsoever of 
and heretofore granted to and invested in the Maior 
and Cominalty of this Burrough of Plymouth and their 
predecessors; together with their Charter and Charters, 
by which they are incorporated and endowed by his 
said Sacred Majesty and all or any of his most royall 
ancestors, Kings and Queens of .this realme; to have 
and to hold unto his said most Sacred Majesty, King 
Charles the Second, his heires and successors for ever. 
And moreover the said Maior and Cominalty, by 
these presents, doe fully and absolutely impower and 
authorize the said William Martyn and John Martyn, 
Andrew Ilorsman, Edmund Pollexfen, Stephen Acker¬ 
man and Kobert Berry, or the major parte of them, to 
act, doe and consent unto any act, matter or thing 
whatsoever, which they or the major parte of them, 
shall think fit, reasonable, or convenient to be acted, 
done, performed or consented to, in, touching, or about, 
the premises, or in, touching, or about, the obtaining of 
any new charter or charters of incorporation, grant or 
grants, from his said most Sacred Majesty. And what¬ 
soever the said William Martyn and John Martyn, 
Andrew Ilorsman, Edmund Pollexfen, Stephen Acker¬ 
man and Kobert Berry or the major part of them shall 
act, doe, perform or consent unto, in, for or about the 
execution of the premises, they the said Maior and 
Cominalty, doe hereby promise, grant and agree to 
allowe of, ratifye, confirme, and abide by. And doe 
hereby declare and agree that the same shall bee to 
all intents and purposes as available and effectual in 
the law, as if the same were sealed, transacted and 
done in their presence in the Guildhall of the said 


OLD AND NEW CHARTERS. 


241 


burrough, by and with their consent, order and 
full approbation. In testimony whereof, the said 
Maior and Cominalty have hereunto sett or caused 
to be affixed, their common Seale, in the Guildhall 
of the burrough aforesaid. And the said Maior and 
Magistrates and Common Councill Men have hereunto 
severally subscribed their names. Given the fifteenth 
day of March, in the six and thirtieth yeare of the 
reigne of our now said Soveraigne Lord, Charles the 
Second, by the grace of God of England, Scotland, 
France and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, etc., 
Anno Domini 1683. — Win. Martyn, (l.s.) Maior. 


Michall Hoobe. 
Tho. Knottsford. 
Thos. Bound. 
George Orchard. 
Joseph "Webb. 
Bobert Berry. 
Andrew Mathews. 
Jno. Kogers. 
William Davis. 
Edmund Pollexfen. 
Geo. Martyn. 
Bichard Cowes. 
Philip Wilcocks. 
Stephen Akarman. 


Bichd. Opie. 

John Allen. 
William Munyon. 
Bichard Kingston. 
James Yonge. 
Peter Foote. 

John Martyn. 

John Harris. 

Will. Symons. 
John Dell. 

Andrew Horsman. 
Willm. Tom. 

John Munyon. 
James Hull.” 


“To the King’s most Excellent Majestie. The most 
humble petition of William Martyn, Maior of Ply¬ 
mouth, John Martyn, Andrew Horsman, Edmund 
Pollexfen, Stephen Ackerman and Bobert Berry:— 
Most humbly sheweth that the Maior, Magistrats and 



242 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


fower and twenty of your Majesty’s antient Borrough 
of Plymouth, in Common Council assembled, haveing 
determined to surrender into your royall hands all 
theire franchises, liberties, priviledges, together with 
their charter, have by an instrument under the common 
Seale of the sayd burrough, deputed and authorized 
us, your Majesty’s dutifull and loyall subjects, to 
effect the same, as may be most conduceing to your 
Majesty’s service and the good and well-being of the 
said Corporation, which your petitioners are very 
willing and most desireous to doe, in such manner 
as shall be best pleasing to your most Sacred Majesty. 
And forasmuch as a great part of the incomes of the 
said Corporation are (as your petitioners beleeve) held 
by antient usage and prescription or otherwise strength¬ 
ened or supported by such other title, as may not be 
capable of a re-grant by a new charter. And for 
that the sayd Corporation is incumbered with great 
debts and some debts also due to the said Corporation, 
and the case and circumstances of the said Corporation 
are such as give your petitioners just cause to doubt 
that great prejudice will attend the inhabitants of the 
sayd towne, and especially the poore people thereof, 
in case of a generall surrender of all the lands, rights 
and priviledges of the said Corporation, wee your most 
humble petitioners doe therefore in all dutifull manner 
implore your Majesty to vouchsafe your princely com¬ 
passion and favour to your said towne, and to pardon 
its past offences, and out of your abundant royall grace 
and bounty, to accept of a surrender of the whole 
governing part of the said Corporation, in such manner 
as is most conduceing to your Majesty’s service. Wee 


CHARTER OF CHARLES IT. 


243 


only beseeching your royall favour that what is not 
usefull for your Majesty’s service, but of great benefitt 
and advantage to the said towne may be preserved, 
wherein we most humbly pray your Majesty to signifie 
your royall pleasure in such manner, as your most 
Sacred Majesty, in your great wisdome, shall think 
fitt. And your petitioners as in duty bound shall ever 
pray, etc. 

The following is the new charter granted by the 
King, but which was not afterwards fully recognised.— 

‘ ‘ Charles the Second, by the grace of God of Eng¬ 
land, Scotland, France and Ireland, King, Defender of 
the Faith, etc. To all to whom these our present 
letters shall come greeting. Whereas our Borrough 
of Plymouth, in our County of Devon, is an ancient 
burrough, and the Mayor and Commonalty of the said 
burrough have had, used and injoyed diverse libertys, 
franchises, pre-eminencys and hereditaments, as well by 
reason of diverse prescriptions, usuages and customs 
in the same burrough, time out of mind used, as by 
diverse Acts of Parliament and charters of severall of 
our predecessors, late Kings and Queens of England, 
to them heretofore granted. And whereas our beloved 
subjects, the late Mayor and Commonalty of the 
burrough aforesaid, have surrendered unto to us all 
and singular their charters, franchises, libertys and 
priviledges whatsoever, which said surrender we have 
accepted, and by these presents do accept, and we att 
the humble petition and request of our well-beloved 
and very faithfull cozen and counsellor, John, Earle 
of Bathe, our Lieutenant and Governor of the royal 



244 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


Citadell and Borough of Plymouth, and desiring the 
bettering of the same burrough, and willing that from 
henceforth for ever hereafter, there may be had one 
certain and undoubted method or manner for keeping 
of the peace and good government of the people 
there; and that the said borough from henceforth for 
ever, may be and remain a burrough of peace and 
quietness to the terror of evil doers, and for the 
reward of good men. We at the humble petition of 
the said Earle of Bathe, and also of the said late 
Mayor and Commonalty of our Borough of Plymouth, 
for us, our heirs and successors, will, constitute, 
declare, ordaine and grant that the said Burrough and 
Towne of Plymouth shall be from henceforth for ever, 
a Free Burrough Incorporated, of one Mayor and one 
Commonalty perpetuall, and that the Burgesses of the 
said burrough and their successors, shall be from 
henceforth for ever, one body corporate and politick, 
by the name of the Mayor and Commonalty of the 
Burrough of Plymouth, and have perpetual succes¬ 
sion, and be persons able and in law capable to have, 
purchase, and possess manors, lands, tenements, rents, 
reversions, libertys, priviledges, jurisdictions and here¬ 
ditaments of what nature soever, and also goods, debts, 
creditts and chattels whatsoever; and also to give, 
grant, lease and assigne mannors, lands, tenements 
and hereditaments, goods, debts, credits and chattels, 
by the said name of the Mayor and Commonalty of 
the Borough of Plymouth, and by the said name to 
implead and to be impleaded; and that they may have 
a common Seale, which at their pleasure they may 
break, change and renew from time to time. And we 


CHARTER OF CHARLES II. 


245 


will that the circuit, precincts and jurisdictions of the 
said borough, shall extend in length and breadth to 
such bounds and limits as the said Borough of Ply¬ 
mouth and the precincts thereof, time out miude, or 
att any time before the date of these presents, by 
any Act of Parliament, or otherwise have used, or 
ought to extend. And that it shall be lawful for the 
Mayor and Commonalty of the said borough and their 
successors, to make perambulations for the viewing 
and limiting their bounds and franchises, about, within 
and without the said borough in all places, lands, 
fields, tenements or royaltys, within the same burrough 
or County of Devon, att their will and pleasure. And 
we will that there shall be within the said burrough 
one of the Aldermen of the said borough, to be chosen 
as hereafter is mentioned, who shall be, and shall 
be called Mayor of the said burrough. And that 
there shall be twelve other Burgesses of the said 
burrough, to be chosen as hereafter is mentioned, 
besides the Mayor of the said burrough for the time 
being, viz:—Thirteene Capitall Liberi Burgeuses of 
the said burrough in the whole, who shall be, and 
shall be called Aldermen and Private Council of the 
said burrough; and that there shall be twelve other 
Liberi Burgeuses and inhabitants of the said borough, 
to be chosen as hereafter is mentioned, who shall be, 
and shall be called Assistants of the said borough; 
and that the Mayor, Aldermen and Assistants of the 
said borough for the time being, shall be, and shall 
be called by the Common Council of the said borough, 
and that Aldermen of the said borough shall be from 
time to time, aiding and assisting the Mayor of the said 



246 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


burrough in all causes, tilings and matters touching 
or concerning the said borough, and we assigne, 
nominate, constitute and make William Martyn, 
Esq., to be first Mayor of the said borough, from 
the date of these presents, until the Feast of Saint 
Michael the Archangel, next ensuing, and from the 
said feast until one other of the Aldermen of the 
said burrough, shall be chosen and sworn to the 
said office (a corporate oath in all things well and 
faithfully to execute the office of Mayor of the said 
burrough, before Hugh Piper, Kt. and John Martyn, 
Esq., or one of them, or two other Aldermen of the 
said burrough, being first to be taken by the said 
"William Martyn). And we assigne, nominate, con¬ 
stitute and make the said Hugh Piper and the said 
John Martyn and Isaac Eillard, Merchant, Samuel 
Mordocke, Merchant, John Trelawney, of Ham, Esq., 
the said William Martyn, Thomas Stutt, Merchant, 
William Symons, Gent., Philip Andrew, Merchant, 
John Hell, Merchant, John Munyon, Merchant, James 
Hull, Merchant, and Lewis Stuckley, Esq., to be the 
first Aldermen of the said borough, during their 
respective natural lives, (their corporal oaths faith¬ 
fully to execute the office or place of Aldermen of 
the said borough, being by them respectively first 
taken). And we assigne, nominate, constitute and 
make the said John Paige, junr, Philip Wilcocks, 
Stephen Acreman, Timothy Hamblyn, James Yonge, 
Eobert Berry, George Orchard, John Bogers, Andrew 
Matthews, Nicholas Edgcombe, Walter Ingram, and 
Joseph Webb, to be first Assistants of the said 
burrough, during their respective natural lives (their 


CHARTER OF CHARLES II. 


247 


corporal oath faithfully to execute the office or place 
of Assistant of the said burrough, being by them 
respectively first taken). And that it shall he lawful 
for the said Mayor, Aldermen and Assistants and 
their successors, to weare and use gownes, as they 
have antiently used and accustomed. And we will 
that there shall be in the said burrough one eminent 
man, who shall be, and shall be called Recorder of the 
said borough, to be nominated and chosen as hereafter 
is mentioned, which said Recorder shall have full 
power and authority by these presents to make and 
constitute from time to time his deputy. And we 
assign the said John, Earle of Bathe, to be the first 
Recorder of the said burrough during his natural life. 
And we will and command that the said John, Earle 
of. Bathe, before he shall be admitted to the execution 
of the office of Recorder, and to the office and trust of 
Justiciar of the said borough, or to either of them, 
shall take the several oaths for the due execution of 
the said office and trust before Bernard Greenville, 
Esq., Hugh Piper, Kt., and Edmund Pollexfen, Esq., 
or any one or two of them, to whom we give power 
for administering the said oaths. And we grant to 
the said Mayor and Commonalty and their successors, 
that from henceforth for ever there shall be within the 
said burrough, a man skilful in the Laws of England, 
and who shall be a Barester, who shall be, and 
shall be called Deputy Recorder and Common Clerke 
of the said borough. And we will that the Recorder 
of the said borough and his successors, in all things 
and causes, in the Court of Record of the said 
burrough, as other courts held in the said burrough. 


248 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


And we assigne, etc. our well-beloved and very 
faithful cozen and chancellor, Christopher, Duke of 
Albemarle and the said John, Earle of Bathe and our 
well-beloved and very faithful Charles, Lord Lans- 
downe, Richard Lord Arundel and the said Bernard 
Greenville and our beloved and faithful Edward 
Seamour, Bart., Jonathan Trelawny, Bart., Cople- 
stone Bampfield, Bart., Richard Edgcombe, Ivt. of 
the Bath, Nicholas Staming, Kt. of the Bath, and 
Bart., Arthur Tremaine, Edmund Tremaine, Richard 
Strode, Nicolas Courtney, the said Edmund Pollexfen, 
John Harris, Philip Lanyon and Henry Watts, Esq., 
and the said Mayor, Aldermen and Assistants, to be 
the first free Burgesses of the said burrough. And 
we will that there shall be in the said burrough, an 
honest and discreet man who shall be, and shall .be 
called Coroner of the said burrough. And we assign 
etc., Thomas Paige, Gentleman, to be the first Coroner 
of the said burrough, to continue in the said office, 
during the good pleasure of the Mayor and Aldermen 
of the said burrough for the time being, or of the 
major part of them; and we will that the said William 
Martyn, Hugh Piper, Ivt. and John Martyn (during 
their respective lives,) and also the Mayor, Recorder 
and Deputy Recorder of the said burrough, during 
such time as they shall continue in the said offices 
respectively, and after the death or removal of the said 
William Martyn, Hugh Piper, and John Martyn, or 
either of them from the office of Justice of the Peace, 
then and after such death or removal of either of 
them the last predecessor of every Mayor of the said 
burrough, then living for the time being, and his 


CHARTER, OF CHARLES II. 


249 


successors respectively, and after the death or removal 
of the said William Martyn, from the office of a 
Justice of the said burrough, the two oldest Aider- 
men of the said burrougli, in degree and order of 
nomination or election within the said burrough, 
for the time being, for ever, shall be Justices of the 
Peace in the said burrough, and within the prescints 
and libertys thereof. And that the Mayor, Becorder, 
and Deputy Becorder, and other Justices in these 
presents nominated, and other Justices in the said 
burrough, for the time being as aforesaid, or any two 
or more of them (of whom we will that the Mayor 
or Becorder or Deputy Becorder of the burrough 
aforesaid, for the time being, shall be one,) shall have 
full power and authority to enquire of all felonies, 
trespasses and other articles whatsoever within the 
said burrough; so as nevertheless they proceed not 
to the determination of any murder or felony, (petty 
larcenies excepted) or of any other matter touching 
loss of life or member, without our special command. 
Nevertheless we will and grant that the Mayor, 
Becorder and Deputy Becorder, and other Justices 
in these presents nominated, and also the Justices 
of the Peace of the said borough for the time being, 
or any two or more of them (of whom we will that 
the Mayor or Becorder or Deputy Becorder shall be 
one,) shall and may enquire of all and singular 
malefactions, trespasses, offences and articles, and 
of all petty thefts and petty larcenies within the 
said burrough, and punish the same according to the 
laws of our realm. And we grant that the said 
Mayor and Commonalty shall for ever have Guild- 


250 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


liam Mercatoriam within the said burrough, with 
all things thereunto belonging, as the Mayor and 
Bayliffs of oure Towne and City of Oxon have or 
may or might have in all times past. And we further 
grant that the said Mayor and Commonalty for ever, 
shall and may have and holde in the Guildhall of the 
said burrough a Court of Record every Monday, in 
every week throughout the year, before the Mayor or 
his deputy of the said borough for the time being to 
he held, and that the Mayor or his deputy may hear 
and determine all pleas reale of lands and tenements 
within the said borough, and all pleas personal and 
mixt within the said burrough, in the same manner 
and forme, and by the same means as the Mayor and 
Bayliffs of the said City of Oxon, may or ought to 
hear and determine the like pleas within the said citty, 
by virtue of any grants or letters patents to the said 
Mayor and Bayliffs of the said citty, or to their 
predecessors granted, and by us, or our predecessors 
confirmed, or by virtue of any custome lawfully used 
in the said citty, and in such and in as ample a 
manner and forme, and by the like processes as hath 
been used and accustomed in the said burrough. And 
we will that the Serjeants-at-Mace of the said borough 
or either of them shall make and execute all juries, 
inquisitions, attachments, precepts, warrants and pro¬ 
cesses touching or concerning the said causes as shall 
he to them or him commanded according to the laws, 
and as in such like cases hath been used in any Court 
of Record in any other cittys, burroughs or towns 
incorporated within this our kingdome of England. 
And we grant unto the said Mayor and Commonalty 


CHARTER OE CHARLES II. 


251 


and their successors, the return of all manner of writts 
and precepts and executions thereof, within the said 
burrough, so that no Sheriffe, Coroner, Keeper of the 
Peace, Bayliff, or any other of our Ministers, shall 
enter into the said borough or precincts thereof, to 
exercise or execute any thing in them, unless for 
things only touching or concerning us and our heirs 
or successors, or in defect of the Mayor and Common¬ 
alty aforesaid; and that Kullus Burgeuses of the 
burrough aforesaid shall be put or impannelled in any 
assizes or juries, which shall happen to he taken out 
of the said borough, unless he have lands, tenements 
or rents out of the said burrough, for which he ought 
to be put or impannelled in the said juries. And we 
will that the said Mayor and Commonalty have within 
the said burrough a prison and gayle, for the keeping 
all persons taken or attached within the said burrough 
for any felony, trespass or other contempt and offence 
whatsoever, done within the said burrough, as in time 
past hath been used. And we will that the Mayor and 
Aldermen of the said burrough, or the major part of 
them, (of whom the Mayor for the time being shall 
be one,) may for the common and public good of the 
said burrough, nominate, make, constitute and create 
from time to time, such and so many persons to be 
Liberis Burgeuses of the said burrough, as the said 
Mayor and Aldermen or the major part of them shall 
think fitt; and administer an oath upon the IToly 
Evangelists to the said Liberis Burgensibus, so to be 
chosen for their fidelity to the said burrough, and 
for their faithful doing all things which belongs to 
the place; and that the said Mayor and Commonalty 


252 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


or the major part of them, as often as shall to them 
seem necessary, may hold a convocation of the said 
Maior and Commonalty or the major part of them, 
in the Guildhall or other convenient place within 
the said burrough, and there treate, confer, consult 
and determine of the statutes, articles and ordinances 
of the said burrough, and touching and concerning 
the state and good government thereof. And we will 
that the Mayor, Aldermen and Assistants of the said 
burrough, being the Common Council thereof, or the 
major part of them (of whom the Mayor to be one,) 
shall have full power and authority to make, con¬ 
stitute and establish such laws, statutes, ordinances 
and constitutions whatsoever, which shall seem to 
them or the major part of them, good, profitable and 
necessary for the good government of the Mayor and 
Commonalty of the said burrough, and of all other 
officers, ministers, artificers, inhabitants and residents 
whatsoever, of the said burrough for the time being, 
and for the declaration and determination in what 
manner and order the said Mayor and Commonalty, 
and all merchants, officers, ministers, artificers and 
residents of the said burrough, and their factors, 
servants and apprentices shall behave and demain 
themselves in their offices, functions, misterys, wares, 
merchandizes, arts and business, within the said 
borough, and otherwise for the greater public good 
and common profit and good government of the said 
burrough; and also for the better preservation, 
government, disposition, leasing and setting of the 
lands, tenements, possessions, rents, reversions, here¬ 
ditaments, goods and chattels of the said burrough, 


CHARTER OF CHARLES II. 


253 


and to change and confirm the said laws, ordinances 
and constitutions according to their discretions; and 
impose such paines and penalty's by imprisonment, or 
by fines and amerciaments or either of them for not 
observing the said laws, ordinances and constitutions, 
and leavy the same by distress or action of debt to 
them own proper use, so as the said laws, ordinances, 
constitutions, imprisonments, fines and amerciaments 
he not repugnant or contrary to the laws, statutes 
and customs of our realm. And that they shall have 
power and authority yearly, in the moneth of 
September, to meet on Tuesday, next before the 
Feast of Saint Lambert the Martyr and Bishop, to 
nominate two of the Aldermen of the said borough, 
of whom one shall be Mayor the year following, 
and after such nomination it shall be lawful for the 
Mayor, Aldermen, and other Freemen of the said 
burrough or the major part of them, to choose one 
of the said two Aldermen to be Mayor of the said 
burrough. Provided always that no Aldermen of the 
said borough, without his assent, shall be nominated 
and chosen to the office of Mayor, who hath exercised 
the said office by election within the space of eight 
years then past, unless absolute necessity shall require 
it. And we will that he who shall be so yearly 
nominated and elected to be Mayor (having first taken 
his corporal oath for his well and faithful executing 
the said office,) shall have and exercise the said office 
during one whole year then next following, and 
until one other of the Aldermen of the said borough 
shall be elected and sworn Mayor of the said borough. 
And we will that if any Mayor of the said borough 


254 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


for the time being, shall happen to die or to be 
removed from the office, or if any person to be 
chosen to the said office shall refuse to take the 
said office upon him, that then and so often, and in 
every such case, it shall be lawful for the Aldermen 
of the said borough or the major part of them, to 
nominate two of the Aldermen of whom one shall be 
Mayor, until the Feast of Saint Michael the Arch- 
angell, then next following, as hereafter is expressed, 
and after such nomination of the two Aldermen, it 
shall be lawful for the Aldermen, Assistants and 
other Freemen or the major part of them, to elect 
one of the said two to be Mayor of the said borough, 
who shall exercise the said office until the Feast of 
Saint Michael the Archangell then next following, 
and until one other shall be chosen and sworn to 
the said office. And we will that the said Isaac 
Tillard shall be Mayor of the said borough, upon 
and from the Feast of Saint Michael next ensuing: 
the date of these presents, for one year then next 
following, and until one other Alderman shall be 
chosen and sworn to the said office, if he shall so 
long live. And we will that as often as any of the 
Aldermen or Assistants shall happen to dye or to 
be removed or depart from his said office, it shall 
be lawful for the Mayor and Aldermen or the major 
part of them then surviving, one or more other de 
Liberis Burgensibus of the burrough aforesaid, in the 
place or places of the said Aldermen or Alderman, 
Assistants or Assistant so happening to dye or to 
be removed or to depart as aforesaid, to supply or 
fill up the said number of thirteen Aldermen and 


CHARTER OF CHARLES II. 


255 


twelve Assistants, and if any Recorder shall happen 
to dye or to he removed or to depart from his 
office, it shall he lawful for the Common Council of 
the said borough or the major part of them, to 
nominate and elect an honest and discreet man, to 
be Recorder of the said borough, who shall have and 
exercise the said office by himself or by his sufficient 
deputy, being a Barester and learned in the Laws of 
England, taking first the corporate oaths to execute 
the said office, and the office and trust of Justice 
of the Peace within the said borough, before the 
Mayor of the said borough, to whom we give full 
power and authority to administer the said oaths. 
And if the Coroner shall happen to dye or to be 
removed or to depart from his office, it shall be 
lawful for the Common Councill or the major part of 
them, to nominate, elect and constitute another fit 
person of the said burrough, to be Coroner in his 
place. And we will that if any of the Aldermen who 
shall be nominated and elected to the office of Mayor, 
having notice of such election and nomination, shall 
refuse to take the oath for the execution of the office 
of Mayor of the said burrough, it shall be lawful for 
the Mayor and Aldermen or the major part of them, 
to tax and impose a fine or amerciament not exceed¬ 
ing two hundred pounds of lawful money of England 
upon every person so refusing. And if any de Liberis 
Burgensibus, who shall be elected to the place of 
Alderman, and having due notice or knowledge of 
such election, shall refuse to take upon him and 
exercise the said office or place, or to take the oath 
according to the use and custome of the said burrough, 


256 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


it shall be lawful for the Mayor and Aldermen or the 
major part of them, to impose or assess a fine or 
amerciament not exceeding one hundred pounds, upon 
every person so refusing, and if any de Liberis 
Burgensibus of the said burrough who shall be chosen 
to the office or place of Assistant, and having due 
notice or knowledge of the election, shall refuse to 
assume and exercise the same or to take the oath 
according to the custome of the said burrough, it 
shall be lawful for the Mayor and Aldermen or the 
major part of them, to impose a fine or amerciament 
not exceeding fifty pounds, upon every person so 
refusing. And for the better remedy in recovering the 
said severall sumes of money, fines or amerciaments, 
it shall be lawful for the Mayor and Commonalty of 
the said Borough of Plymouth aforesaid, to leavy and 
recover the same by distress of rent or otherwise, 
according to the due course of law, to the proper 
use of the Mayor and Commonalty and their successors. 
And we will that if the Mayor of the said borough 
shall happen to be so sick or to labour with any 
sickness, that he cannot attend the necessary businesses 
of the said burrough or that he shall goe out of the 
said burrough for any reasonable cause by the licence 
of the Aldermen or the major part of them, that then 
it shall be lawful for the said Mayor, so being sick or 
absent, to make and constitute one of the Aldermen 
to be his deputy, to continue in the office of Deputy 
Mayor, in the sickness or absence of the Mayor, 
which Deputy Mayor shall or may doe and execute 
all things in the sickness or absence of the Mayor, as 
fully and freely and in as ample manner and form as 


CHARTER OF CHARLES II. 


257 


tlie Mayor might or could do if he were present. The 
Deputy Mayor first taking an oath before the said 
Mayor for the well and faithful execution of the office 
of Deputy Mayor. And we give full power and 
authority to the said Mayor to administer such oath 
to the Deputy Mayor. And we will that the Mayor 
and Aldermen or the major part of them, (of whom 
the Mayor to he one,) shall nominate, elect and 
constitute such and so many Serjeants-att-Mace and 
other officers and ministers whatsoever, within the 
said burrough, as they shall thinke fitt, who shall he 
sworn for the well and faithful execution of their 
offices, before the Mayor and Aldermen or any two 
of them, and shall have and exercise their said offices 
for one whole year then next following, at the will 
of the Mayor and Aldermen or the major part of 
them. And we will that the Mayor and Commonalty 
shall have in every weeke throughout the year, two 
markets viz.—on Monday and Thursday in every 
week, and in every year two faires, the one on the 
Feast of Saint Matthew the Apostle and Evangelist, 
and the other on the Feast of the Conversion of 
Saint Paul the Apostle, and by three days after each 
of the said feasts, together with toll, stallage, piccage 
and all and singular other profits, commodities and 
emoluments whatsoever, of and for the said markets 
or faires belonging or appertayning. And we grant 
to the Mayor and Commonalty, a Court Leet and 
view of frankpledge of all the inhabitants and 
residents within the said burrough and precincts 
thereof, twice in the year, viz.—in the moneth next 
after the Feast of Saint Michaell the Archangell, 




258 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


and in the moneth next after the Feast of Easter, 
to be yearly held before the Common Clerk of the 
said burrough or his deputy; and all and whatsoever 
that appertaines to view of frankpledge and all 
amerciaments, fines, profits and commoditys belonging 
or appertaining to the said view of frankpledge. 
And that the Mayor and Commonalty shall for ever 
have, within the said borough and the precincts 
thereof, Socam et Sacam , Tlioll et The am, Infang enthef 
Outfangenthef chattels of felons and fugitives, of 
outlaws, and of persons howsoever condemned or 
convicted and of felons de see howsoever happening. 
And that they may putt themselves in seisin thereof 
without delivery or impeachment of us, our heirs or 
successors or of the ministers of us, our heirs or 
successors. And they shall have for ever all fines, 
recognizances or sumes of money thereupon due or 
forfeited or to be forfeited, amerciaments, issues and 
ransoms within the said borough and the precincts 
thereof. And to leavy and take the same by them¬ 
selves and their ministers, and the same convert to 
the use of the Mayor and Commonalty without any 
estreats to be sent or returned thereof into our 
exchequer and without impeachment of us, our heirs 
or successors or of any other person whatsoever. 
And we will that the Mayor and Commonalty for 
the reparation and amendment of the keys, wharfs 
and barbicans, shall and may take and receive yearly 
within the said burrough and precincts thereof, all 
such sumes of monev, for toll and custome as the 
Mayor and Commonalty or their ministers in time 
past have used and ought to take and receive. And 


CHARTER OF CHARLES II. 


259 


we grant to the said Mayor and Commonalty, towards 
the necessary support, charge and cost of the said 
burrough and the poor thereof, that they shall or 
may have that part or moiety -of the penalty of 
twenty pounds, due or payable to us, by virtue of 
an Act of Parliament, made in the seven and 
twentyeth year of the reign of the late Queen 
Elizabeth, for or concerning the carrying or convey¬ 
ing the water of the River Mew at Meavy, to or 
towards the Towne or Burrough of Plymouth afore¬ 
said; and full power and authority to recover the 
same in our name, or in the name of the Mayor and 
Commonalty of the burrough aforesaid, by account 
of debt, bill, plaint or information, according to the 
tenor of the said Act of Parliament. And we will 
and grant to the said Mayor and Commonalty that 
from henceforth for ever, all the inhabitants and 
residents within the said burrough, shall doe and 
performe suit of mill to the mills of the said Mayor 
and Commonalty, situate and being within the said 
burrough, and shall grind their wheat, barley and 
grain to the said mills, as they have heretofore used 
or ought. And we grant that the said Mayor and 
Commonalty and their serjeants and ministers, as well 
throughout our realm of England, as sea and 
elsewhere, within our power, shall be free, exoner¬ 
ated and acquitted for ever from all toll, murage, 
pontage, passage, stallage, kayage, piccage, panage, 
carriage, rivage, anchorage, scavage, strandage, chim- 
age, terrage, keliage, custome, imposition, and of all 
other things whatsoever, and of all other payment, 
exaction and custome of, or for themselves or any of 


2G0 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


them, or for the things, goods and merchandizes of 
them and any of them, to be payd in any wise 
howsoever. And we grant to the said Mayor and 
Commonalty that no foreigner who is not Burgeusis 
of the said burrongli, shall sell or cause to be 
solde, any merchandizes or wares, within the said 
burrough or precincts thereof, other than in gross, 
unless only in the times of faires and markets, to 
be held or kept within the said burrough as hath 
been anciently used in the said burrough. And that 
noe foreigner or other person whatsoever, shall buy 
or sell any merchandizes, victuals or wares what¬ 
soever, coming to the said burrough, before dhe same 
shall be brought to the said burrough, and from 
thence placed at the usual publicke places for buying 
and selling thereof. And we grant that the Mayor 
of the said burrough shall be Clerke of the Markett, 
within the said burrough and the precincts thereof, 
and shall doe and performe, or cause to be done and 
performed, all things belonging to the office of Clerke 
of the Markett, as in the said burrough hath been 
heretofore used and accustomed. And that the Mayor 
during his office shall be our Escheator, within the 
said burrough and precincts thereof, and do and 
execute all things belonging to the said office, first 
taking the oaths of Clerke of the Markett and 
Escheator before the old Mayor or Deputy Decorder 
or one other justice of the said burrough, to whom 
we grant authority to administer the said oaths; so 
that our Escheator of the County of Devon shall 
not intermeddle with any thing pertaining to the 
office of Escheator within the burrough, unless in 


CHARTER OF CHARLES II. 


2G1 


defect of the said Mayor. And we grant that the 
Mayor and Commonalty shall for ever hereafter, 
have all the rights, libertys, franchises, jurisdictions, 
powers, hereditaments and other profitts whatsoever, 
whereof the Abbott of Bokeland, in the County of 
Devon, in time past, to weet, in the eighteenth 
year of the reign of King Henry the Sixth, was 
seised in his demesne as of fee and of right of his 
Church of the Blessed Mary of Bokeland, within the 
Burrough of Plymouth aforesaid, and the libertys 
and precincts thereof. And also a court once in 
every month, to he held before the Mayor in the 
Guildhall of the said burrough, when he shall please 
to assigne it, and that the Burrough of Plymouth 
and the inhabitants thereof for ever hereafter, shall 
he exempted and exonerated of, from and out of the 
Hundred of Bodborough, in the County of Devon 
aforesaid and the libertys thereof, in such and in 
as ample manner and forme, as by a certain Act of 
Parliament, made in the eighteenth yeare of King 
Henry the Sixth is enacted; by which act all the 
courts, suits and hereditaments, within the said 
Burrough of Plymouth and precincts thereof, were 
granted from the said Abbott to the Mayor and 
Commonalty of the said burrough and their suc¬ 
cessors. And we grant to the said Mayor and 
Commonalty full power and authority to purchase 
and possess any mannors, messuages, lands, tene¬ 
ments, rectorys, advowsons, tythes, rents, reversions, 
and other hereditaments whatsoever, as well of us 
and our liens and successors as of any other person 
or persons whatsoever, the Statute of Mortmain or 


262 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


any other statute, act, ordinance or provision or any 
other matter, cause or thing to the contrary thereof, 
in anywise notwithstanding. And we grant to all 
persons, power and authority to give, grant, sell and 
alien any mannors, etc. to the said Mayor and 
Commonalty, the said Statute of Mortmain or any 
statute, etc. notwithstanding. Provided always and 
we reserve full power and authority to us, our heirs 
and successors, from time to time, any Mayor, 
Becorder, Deputy Becorder, Common Clerk, Coroner, 
and any Justice, Alderman or Assistant at our will 
and pleasure, by our letters under our signet and 
signe manuall from their said several offices respec¬ 
tively, to remove and declare them to be removed, 
who are and shall be thereby without any further 
process, really and to all intents and purposes 
whatsoever, and ipso facto , removed from their said 
severall offices, anything to the contrary thereof in 
anywise notwithstanding, and within convenient time 
after such removal, other fitt person or persons into 
the said places and offices shall be elected, constituted 
and chosen in such manner, and by such person as 
in these presents is declared and expressed. And 
we will that noe Justice of the Peace, in the County 
of Devon or any other county, shall intermeddle in 
any felony or in any things, causes, matters or 
articles whatsoever, to the office of Justice of the 
Peace, belonging within the said borough or precincts 
thereof, without our special mandate or commission 
in that behalfe. And we will that the said Mayor 
and Commonalty shall have and enjoy all such gifts, 
grants, courts, prisons, libertys, priviledges, exemp- 


CHARTER OF CHARLES II. 


263 


tions, franchises, acquittances, articles, immunity's 
and customes, as well in these presents and in any 
other charter or charters of us or our iwogenitors 
or ancestors, late Kings or Queens of England, as in 
any statute or Act of Parliament contained, granted, 
declared, specified or confirmed. And also all and 
singular franchises, priyiledges, offices, officers, man- 
nors, lordships, messuages, mills, waters, watercourses, 
catteracts, lands, tenements, rents, reversions, services, 
advowsons, viccarages and churches, rights of patron¬ 
age and presentation to viccarages and to churches, 
wasts, hereditaments, borrough-customes, powers, tolls, 
marketts, market places, standings, kays, wharfs, small 
customes and dues or payments for rollage, kayage, 
wharfage and landliefe and dutys and payments of or 
for all weights and wine weights, libertys, creditts, 
debetts, rights, goods, chattels, real and personal uses, 
confidences, equitys of redemption, faires, courts, views 
of frankpledge, perquisites of courts, jurisdictions of 
courts, with correction or amending of bread and beer, 
exemptions, acquittances, immunitys, and customes. 
And also all other profits and emoluments, temporal 
and secular, heretofore lawfully granted to the late 
Mayor and Commonalty of the Burrough of Plymouth 
aforesaid, or by them or any of them by any name or 
names of Incorporation, or other legel means hereto¬ 
fore lawfully used, and which, by these presents, are 
not changed and altered. And we grant and restore 
to the said Mayor and Commonalty all authoritys, 
courts, jurisdictions, libertys, priviledges, franchises, 
acquittances and customes, so fully and freely as 
they or their predecessors in any times of any of 


264 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


our progenitors or ancestors, late Kings or Queens 
of England, have or ought to have, exercised, enjoyed 
or used the same before the surrender aforesaid. 
Provided always, and we reserve full power and 
authority of building and fortifying, for the safe 
keeping of the said burrough and harbour there, 
we paying a reasonable sume of money for houses 
or lands necessary for the fortification and building 
aforesaid. Provided always that these our letters 
patents, shall not be extended to grant to the said 
Mayor and Commonalty any lands, tenements, rents, 
services or hereditaments, parcell of our Dutchy of 
Cornwall or of our Honour of Trematon, but that 
our said dutchy and honour shall have and enjoy 
all their lands, tenements, rents, jurisdictions, services 
and hereditaments within the said burrough, in as 
ample manner and forme as they enjoyed or ought 
to enjoy the same at the time of the surrender 
aforesaid and not otherwise, which said authoritys, 
jurisdictions, libertys, priviledges, etc. are to be held 
of us, our heirs and successors as they were formerly 
held, and rendering and paying yearly such rents, 
services, sumes of money and demands as have been 
used and ought to be payed. And we will that 
these our letters patents shall be expounded, adjudged 
and interpreted in all courts and places whatsoever, 
most graciously and most benignly in favor and 
benefit of the Mayor and Commonalty of our said 
Burrough of Plymouth. In testimony whereof we 
have caused these our letters to be made patent. 
Witness ourselff at Westminster, the twenty-sixth 
day of June, in the thirty-sixth yeare of our reign.” 


265 


APPOINTMENT OF MAYOR, ETC. 

1684. —Isaac Tillard, Mayor. “He was nominated 
in the new charter, to he first mayor, and was a 
very good man, but lived not half his mayoralty* 
he dyed on Monday, 2nd February, 1685. King 
Charles II dyed, also near that time.” 

“Soon after the mayor, Timothy Hamlyn, his 
receiver, also dyed, a very good man. W. Martin 
succeeded in the mayoralty, by direction of my 
Lord Bath, and Mr. J. Paige made Alderman. A 
terrible cold winter; cattle dyed for want of fodder. 
Argyl landed in Scotland and Monmouth at Lyme 
this summer, many went to them but they were 
both routed, taken prisoners and beheaded.” 

“King James was proclaimed here February 10th, 
many new regiments levycd after Monmouth’s 
rebellion. My Lord Bath had one of which Mr. 
Yonge was surgeon. A Parliament was called in 
May, and they of the bench chose among them¬ 
selves, without Freemen or Freeholders, though 
both protested against it. August.—Mr. Davys and 
John Carkeet chosen Assistants. King Charles II, 
and the Mayor of Plymouth dyed the same day.” 

1685. —Samuel Madock, Mayor. August.—“The 
Bishop Lamplugh came for his triennial visitation; 
Lord Chief Justice Herbet followed him.” 

“His Majesty James II appointed a new Mayor, 
Kecorder, Town Clerk, Coroner, 12 Capital Burgesses 
or Freemen, 24 Common Councillors and 26 Free¬ 
men; and also restored to the borough, all and every 
privilege hitherto enjoyed by the former Mayor and 
Commonalty before the surrender of the charter.” 





266 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


1686. —John Trelawney, Mayor. “A very worthy 
understanding gentleman, strove hard against the 
election to no purpose.” “ August.—Duke of Grafton 
came into Plymouth with six of the King’s ships; 
the Queen of Portugal, daughter of the Duke of 
Newburg, going on here to Lisbon.” 

“Sir H. Piper, Lieutenant-Governour and Alderman 
dyed. Sir Nicholas Slanning made Governour, and 
Sir Philip Wilcocks, Alderman, John Tom, Assistant.” 

1687. —Thomas Stutt, Mayor. “This honest gentle¬ 
man was mayor, 1667. About the time of his taking 
the charter, the Duke of Albemarle and his Dutchess, 
put in here in their voyage to Jamaica, where he 
went governour. He came not on shore although 
invited, and stayed some weeks.” 

1688. —William Symons, Mayor. “This man was 
twice mayor before. In November, the Prince of 
Orange with great force arrived at Torbay, landed 
and went to Exeter. King James’ forces going 
over to the Pretender, Ilis Majesty fled out of 
England, with the Queen and Prince of Wales. 
Prince of Orange proclaimed King in February. 
His declaration was read in the Guildhall and 
Cittadel in December, soon after which the Dutch 
fleet which brought him over, came into this 
harbour and wintered. War proclaimed against 
France.” 

1689. —Philip Andrew, Mayor. • “ Soon after this 
honest gentleman’s election, four regiments of soldiers 
were sent here to embark for Ireland, and 400 ships 





PLYMOUTH DOCK:. 


267 


wintered here, so that great infection happened, and 
above 1,000 people bnryed in three months. ¥m. 
Martin, Alderman, dyed; no great loss. The French 
appeared with a great fleet before onr harbour, sailing 
eastward, where they beat us and the Dutch, before 
the Isle of Wight; we lost the aim of 70 guns, the 
Dutch lost six; King William then in Ireland. We 
apprehended the French might attack this harbour, 
made new forts, and kept in arms with good watch¬ 
ing.” “ Christmas Day a great storm, the Henrietta 
and Centurian cast away here, and a Dutch man-of- 
war of 70 guns.” 

1690.—John Paige, Mayor. “In this gentleman’s 
mayoralty happened nothing memorable, but that the 
Dock in Hamoaze was begun. That the 2nd Sept, 
and the end of it, a storm drove our grand fleet then 
on the coast, into this harbour, where the Coronation 
of 90 guns was sunk and men drowned, except 
14, and the Harwich, of 70 guns, lost under Mount 
Edgcumbe.” “Russell in the Brittania, Admiral of 
the red, Killigrew in the Duke, of the blew, here, 
as also the Sovereign, etc.” 

The following is an interesting letter written by 
the Mayor of Plymouth, John Paige, in 1690. It 
bears the Seal of the Corporation, and is addressed 
to John Trelawny, Esq., one of the representatives 
of the town in Parliament. This John Trelawny was 
the son of Robert Trelawny, who represented Ply¬ 
mouth in the Parliament of 1641, and who, from his 
loyalty, being a marked man, was impeached and 



208 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


imprisoned by tliat tyrannical Parliament for simply 
denying (as it is asserted, but never proved) “the right 
of the House to appoint a Guard for themselves with¬ 
out the King’s consent.” He was confined for more 
than a year in Winchester House, in Westminster, 
where he died in 1643, and his estates were con¬ 
fiscated, but afterwards restored to his son. 

“Plymouth, 12 December, 1690. 

“ Honored Su 

“ I had your letter of the 9 th instant with the 
Votes, for which I do most heartily thank you. I 
have communicated yours to as many of our Corpor¬ 
ation as I have seen; we are all heartily glad you 
are indifferently well recovered, and hope in a little 
time to hear you are so well, that you will be able 
to be in the House to act there and in other places 
for the good of this poor Towne : we have had a 
letter from the good Lord of Bathe, of the 6th instant, 
about our fortications, and this day we answered it, 
a Copy of wch I am promist to have, and am order’d 
to send it up to Colli. Granvill and yrself, that so 
you may see what is requested of my lord. I am 
likewise desired by all the Corporation to recommend 
the poor condition of our Towne to both of you, 
that so you may advise with my Lord of Bathe that 
he gett an Oixh from their Majties for the making 
those platforms and breastworks at their Majties own 
charges, and that we may be supplied out of their 
Majties Magazines with great gunns and ammunition 
sutable; for had we monye, we could not here pur¬ 
chase fitt gunns and carriages that may be fitt for 
such service; this is heartily recommended to Collk 


BISHOP TRELAWNEY. 


269 


Granvill and yrself (if possible) to get effected by 
my Lord of Batlie’s directions, that so the gunns and 
other things may be sent downe with all expedition, 
that we may make some defence agst our potent 
enemies. Colli. Granville being out of Towne, I direct 
this wholy to you. 

“Sir, yr family at Ham were all very well yester¬ 
day. * * * * 

“T endring you and Colli. Granvill my true respects, 
I rest, 

“S r , yor Kinsman, 

“and humble Servt, 

“John Paige, Mayor.” 

“For Jm> Trelawny, Esq., Member of the Honor¬ 
able House of Commons, Westminster.” 

(Frank). 

1691.—John Martin, again Mayor. “This honest 
old gentleman was mayor once before. In August 
my Lord Chief Justice Holt came from Launceston to 
see the town. September.—The Bishop, Sir Jonathon 
Trelawney made the triennial visitation, his first 
time.” This Bishop Trelawney was translated to 
Exeter from Bristol. As Bishop of Bristol, he was 
one of the famous seven bishops committed to the 
Tower by King James, at which time he became the 
subject of the Cornish ballad, the burthen of which 
is still remembered:— 

And shall Trelawney die? 

And shall Trelawney die? 

There’s twenty thousand Cornish lads 
Will know the reason why.” 

He died Bishop of Winchester, 1721, and was 
buried in the church of Pelynt, in Cornwall. 



HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


270 

“Plymouth Dockyard.—This dockyard was formed 
in 1691, in the reign of William and Mary; in the 
year 1693, money was voted by the House of 
Commons for its completion. Previous to 1691 the 
master shipwright and artificers were borne on board 
one of Iler Majesty’s ships fitted for their reception.” 

1692. —John Munyon, again Mayor. “This man 
was a second time chosen mayor. Nothing memorable 
but fitting up an empty space in the New Quay, by 
which it became a very graceful square. Alderman 
Stuke or Stutt dyed this August.” In this year 
the Pish Shambles were built. 

1693. —Philip Willcocks, Mayor. “James Yonge 
and Bobert Perry were in the Midsummer Sessions 
chosen Aldermen. Bichard Zachary Mudge born; 
afterwards Yicar of Saint Andrew’s in 1731.” 

1694. —James Yonge, Mayor. “December, the Lord 
Cutts came to town, lay at his house. Three regiments 
quartered in town, to be embarked for the West 
Indies by this Lord. Alderman Dell dyed January, 
(no loss).” “June.—My Lord Marquis of Carmar¬ 
then, the son and heir to the Duke of Leeds, being 
Bear Admiral of the blew, came into port. In 
August, fitted up both benches by choosing John 
Rogers, Nicholas Edgcomb, William Munyon, and 
Mr. Thomas Pound, Aldermen; Thomas Burgoyn, 
James Bligh, Thomas Darracott, William Lovell, 
Benjamin Berry, and William Wyatt, Assistants.” 
“The New Quay fitted up to the outside of the 







APPLICATION FOR NEW CHARTER. 


271 


Slip, before Mr. Allen’s house, and all new paved 
over.” “In June this year, Mr. Fall, an officer of 
the broad Seal, being in town, and the people 
universally desirous to have the old charters, the 
mayor employed him in conjunction with Mr. 
Trelawney, one of the Aldermen and Burgess for 
the town, then in Parliament, and Eobert Berry, 
who was Town Attorney and then going to London 
to endeavour a restitution thereof, but Berry hoping 
to be next mayor and to have the honor of getting 
the charter restored in his time and to do it for 
his own advantage, so embarrass’d the thing, that 
nothing was done, although Mr. Fall undertook to 
do it soon, effectually and cheaply, which sinister, 
proved to the ruin of the Church interest afterward.” 

16S5.—Eobert Berry, Mayor. “This man was an 
attorney, served the Town Clerk, by which he knew 
how to get the town’s money, which he did to the 
purpose as may be seen in the audit books, where 
it appears he hath had vast sums for law charges, 
charters, etc. The benches being filled with such 
men as would not be accessary to his design, he 
goeth to London, and attempts to get our old charter 
restored, and framed such a body of men to fill the 
benches, as would be sure do as he would have them, 
but God defeated his project, for my Lord Bathe 
being put out of the government of the citadel and 
Lieutenant of the County and some of us approving 
the list of men the mayor had designed, he came 
home re infecta and spent the rest of his mayoralty 
dully and out of the good people’s favour.” 



272 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


“Major General Trelawney was made goyernour 
in the room of my Lord Bath, this mayor put 
himself into the interest of that Earle to further 
his designs of getting the dues and revenues of the 
town into his hands, hut all was frustrated for to 
oppose him who would have had Mr. Bogers succeed 
him, they chose John Munyon, at the end of this 
time, Sir Frances Drake got hands to a petition for 
the old charter, sent it up and by interest at court 
got one so called, out of which the mayor was 
excluded. 

“This mayor declared that no obligation lay on 
him, or on any other person from the oath, commonly 
called “the Solemn League and Covenant,” and that 
the same was unlawful and imposed upon the 
subjects against the laws and liberties of the 
kingdom.” (Signed by John Harris and William 
Jennings). “King William’s charter brought here by 
Sir Frances Drake, with 200 horse and trained 
bands.” 

The following is a copy of this new charter of the 
Borough of Plymouth, which being a remarkably 
interesting and important document, is here printed 
entire.— 

“William the Third, by the grace of God, etc. 
To all to whom these our presents shall come 
greeting. We have seen certain letters patent under 
the great Seal of England, bearing date at West¬ 
minster the third day of March, in the third year 
of the reign of our most dear grandfather, Charles 
the First, late King of England, etc., made and 


CHARTER OF INCORPORATION. 273 

granted to the Mayor and Commonalty of the 
Borough of Plymouth in these words, ‘ Charles by 
the grace of God, etc. To all to whom these present 
letters shall come greeting.’ We have seen letters 
patent of our dear father, Lord James of England, 
Scotland, France and Ireland, King, Defender of 
the Faith, of blessed memory, made in these words, 

‘ James by the grace of God, etc. To all to whom 
these present letters patent shall come greeting.’ 
We have seen letters patent and a charter of the 
Lady Elizabeth, late Queen of England, our dear 
sister, of a grant and confirmation made in these 
words, f Elizabeth by the grace of God, etc. To all 
to whom these present letters shall come greeting.’ 
We have seen the letters patent of our dear sister 
Mary, late Queen of England, of a confirmation 
made in these words, ‘ Mary by the grace of God, 
etc. To all to whom these present letters shall come 
greeting.’ We have seen letters patents of our dear 
brother the Lord Edward, of happy memory, late 
King of England, the Sixth, of a confirmation made 
in these words, ‘ Edward the Sixth by the grace of 
God, etc., and in the Lord of the Church of 
England, etc., supreme head. To all to whom these 
present letters shall come greeting.’ We have seen 
letters patents of the Lord Henry the Eighth, King 
of England, our most dear father, made for a 
confirmation in these words, ‘Henry by the grace of 
God, etc. To all to whom these present letters 
shall come greeting.’ We have seen letters patents 
of the Lord Henry, late King of England, the 
Seventh, our most dear father, of a confirmation 


274 


HISTORY OF FLYMOUTH. 


made in these words, ‘ Henry by the grace of God, 
etc. To all to whom these present letters shall 
come greeting.’ We have seen a charter of the Lord 
Henry, late King of England, the Sixth, made in 
these words, 4 Henry by the grace of God, etc. To 
all and singular archbishops, bishops, abbotts, priors, 
dukes, earles, barons, justices, viscounts, provosts, 
ministers and all bayliffs and all faithful subjects 
greeting. Know ye that we by the lords spiritual 
and temporal, in our Parliament at Westminster last 
abiding, and from thence to our Town of Beading 
adjourned, and at the special request of the Commons 
of our kingdom of England in the said Parliament, 
being for great and necessary and notable causes, 
us in the said Parliament especially moveing, by the 
request and authority of the said Parliament, the 
Town of Sutton Prior, the Tything of Sutton Baafe, 
parcel Hamlet of Sutton Vautort, and certain parcel 
Tything of Compton, in the County of Devon, our 
Borough of Plymouth for ever to be named and 
called, and that borough of one Mayor and one 
Commonalty for ever, at all times future to continue 
incorporated. And we have caused the said borough 
to be endowed of certain lands, tenements and other 
possessions, by the Mayor and Commonalty of the 
said borough and their successors for ever, to be 
possessed by authority of the said Parliament as in 
the Act of the said Parliament may more fully 
appear. Know ye that we especially observing how 
our aforesaid borough is situate near the shore and 
sea coast, and that' by the said borough and inhabi¬ 
tants thereof upon that occasion, there may be 


CHARTER OF INCORPORATION. 


275 


necessary conveniency, not only for defence of tlie 
country, near the said borough and our liege people 
inhabiting there, but also for merchants, foreigners, 
natives and others, who may hereafter come there, 
to whom we are willing to shew favour, and also 
that our peace and other acts of justice and what¬ 
soever do belong to peace and justice, may without 
further delay, damage or detriment, be firmly kept 
and performed, and hoping that if the Mayor and 
Commonalty of the borough aforesaid and their 
successors may enjoy greater liberties or priviledges 
than heretofore they have, they shall then think 
themselves more particularly and strongly obliged 
to exhibit and give those services, which they shall 
be able to perform and pay to us, our heirs and 
successors, and that they may be able, with the 
greater care and diligence, to perform their said 
services to us and our heirs; of our special grace, and 
from our certain knowledge and mere motion, we 
have granted, and for ourselves, our heirs and 
successors, by these presents do grant to the Mayor 
and Commonalty of the Borough of Plymouth afore¬ 
said and to their successors for ever, that the Mayor 
and Recorder of the said borough for the time being, 
during the said term which they shall happen to be 
in their offices, and the last predecessor of the 
aforesaid Mayor then surviving and for the time 
being, and their successors and each of them, be 
our justices and justice to keep and preserve, and 
cause to be kept and preserved, our peace within 
the said borough and within the limits, precincts 
and liberties of the same, without any other mandate, 


276 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


commission or warrant from ns, our heirs and 
successors, for that purpose to be had or obtained, 
and that the said Mayor and Becorder and last 
predecessor aforesaid of the Mayor of the borough 
aforesaid for the time being, and their successors 
or two of them, of whom the said Mayor or Recorder 
for the time being, shall be one, shall have full 
power and authority to enquire concerning any 
felonies, transgressions, misprisions, crimes and other 
deserts and any other articles whatsoever, within 
the borough aforesaid and limits and precincts and 
liberties thereof, made, done and committed, which 
before the Keeper and Justices of the Peace in any 
county of our kingdom of England, by the laws 
and statutes of the same kingdom, ought or may 
be enquired, nevertheless but that the Mayor and 
Becorder and last predecessor of the Mayor of the 
said borough for the time being, and their successors 
or any of them, in any manner hereafter, do not 
proceed to the determination of any murder or 
felony or any other matter touching lost of life or 
limbs, within the borough aforesaid and limits, 
precincts and liberties thereof, without the special 
mandate of us, our heirs and successors. And we 
also grant to the Mayor and Commonalty of the 
Borough of Plymouth aforesaid and their successors, 
that the said Mayor and Becorder and last predecessor 
of the Mayor of the borough aforesaid for the time 
being, or two of them, of whom we will have the 
aforesaid Mayor or Becorder for the time being, and 
their successors hereafter for ever, to be one, shall 
have power, and may enquire into, hear, perform 


CHARTER OE INCORPORATION. 


277 


and determine, all and singular other crimes, trans¬ 
gressions, offences, failures and articles, which do 
belong to the offices of Justices of the Peace, within 
the borough aforesaid and the limits, precincts and 
liberties thereof, so fully, freely and absolutely and 
in such ample manner and form as any other Justices 
of the Peace of us, our heirs and successors, in any 
county of our kingdom of England, by the laws and 
statutes of our kingdom of England or any of them 
may enquire, hear or determine; and we will and 
command for ourselves, our heirs and successors, 
firmly by these presents that no Justice of the Peace, 
our heirs and successors, in the County of Devon, 
or in any other county or counties, for the time 
being, do of themselves in any manner hereafter 
intermeddle, nor any of them do intermeddle, for 
or concerning any felonies, things, causes, matters, 
failures or other articles whatsoever, belonging or 
appertaining to the office of a Justice of the Peace, 
within the said borough, limits, liberties or precincts 
of the same, upon any occasion issuing or happening. 
Moreover we will, and of our special grace, certain 
knowledge and mere motion, do grant for ourselves, 
our heirs and successors, to the aforesaid Mayor and 
Commonalty of the said Borough of Plymouth and 
to his successors, that they for ever have all and 
singular fines, issues, redemptions and amerciaments, 
lost and forfeited or to be lost and forfeited within 
the said borough, limits and precincts thereof, before 
the aforesaid Keepers of our Peace and of our heirs 
and our Justices and our heirs and before two of 
them, of which we will have the aforesaid Mayor 


278 


HISTORY OR PLYMOUTH. 


or Recorder for the time being, to be one, appointed 
to enquire into, hear and determine felonies, trans¬ 
gressions and crimes aforesaid within the said borough 
and limits and precincts thereof, in whatsoever manner 
forfeited or to be forfeited from time to time, for the 
proper use and behoof of the Mayor and Commonalty 
of the said borough, without the impediment of us, 
our heirs and successors, or any of the officers or 
ministers of us, our heirs and successors, and without 
any account to be rendered thereof to us, our heirs 
and successors. And moreover we will for ourselves, 
our heirs and successors and by these presents, do 
grant to the aforesaid Mayor and Commonalty of the 
Borough of Plymouth and their successors, that the 
Mayor and Commonalty of the borough aforesaid for 
the time being, and their successors, may have for 
ever hereafter within the borough aforesaid, liberties 
and precincts thereof, a proper prison or goal, to keep 
all those who hereafter shall happen to be taken, 
attached or apprehended within the said borough and 
liberties thereof, for any felonies, transgressions or 
any other failures, contempts or offences there com¬ 
mitted, as hath been in that case heretofore, within 
the said borough been used and accustomed, so as 
those being in the goal aforesaid, who cannot reason¬ 
ably be discharged by the Mayor, Recorder and last 
predecessor of the said Mayor of the borough aforesaid 
for the time being, according to the liberties and 
customs of the said borough, may be discharged by 
our Justices of the Peace, of our heirs or successors, 
appointed to deliver goals or take the assizes there, 
according to law and custom of our kingdom of 


CHARTER OF INCORPORATION. 


279 


England, and as formerly hath been accustomed. 
And further of our more abundant grace we will, 
and for ourselves, our heirs and successors by these 
presents, do grant to the aforesaid Mayor and Com¬ 
monalty of the borough aforesaid and their successors, 
that the said Mayor and Commonalty of the borough 
aforesaid and their successors for the time being, 
from time to time, for the public good and common 
advantage of the said borough, shall and may make, 
constitute and create such and so many Freemen of 
the said borough, as shall seem most expedient to 
them or the major part of them, in the same manner 
and form as heretofore hath been used and accustomed 
in the said borough, and that the said Mayor and 
Commonalty of the said borough and their successors 
or the major part of them, as often as they shall 
think fitt and necessary, shall and may assemble 
together in the Guildhall of the said borough or any 
other convenient place within the said borough, and 
hold the Assembly of the said Mayor and Common¬ 
alty or the major part of them, in all time to come, 
and in the same Assembly to treat of, debate, consent 
and determine of the statutes, articles and orders of 
the said Borough of Plymouth, touching and concern¬ 
ing the good management, state and government of 
the said borough, according to their sober discretions 
or the sober discretions of the major part of them. 
And further of our more abundant grace we will 
and by these presents, for ourselves, our heirs and 
successors, do grant to the aforesaid Mayor and 
Commonalty and their successors, that the Mayor 
of the borough aforesaid and his successors for the 


280 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


time being, the Twelve Capital Burgesses or Masters 
of the said borough, and those who from time to 
time hereafter, shall bear the major part of them, 
being met or assembled in the Guildhall of the said 
borough or other convenient place, calling to them 
four and twenty of the better and discreeter merchants 
or free inhabitants of the borough aforesaid for the 
time being, if they will be present with their consent 
or the consent of the major part of the said Mayor 
and Twelve Capital Burgesses or merchants or free 
inhabitants aforesaid, have and by these presents may 
have full authority, power and ability of granting, 
constituting and ordaining, making and appointing 
from time to time, such and such manner of laws, 
statutes, rights, orders and constitutions, as they or 
the major part of them shall think good, useful, 
wholesome, honest and necessary, according to their 
sober discretions, for the good management and 
government of the Mayor and Commonalty of the 
said borough, and of all other freemen, officers, 
ministers, burgesses, artificers, inhabitants and resi¬ 
dents of the borough aforesaid, and their factors, 
servants and apprentices, shall behave, manage and 
deport themselves in their office, functions, mysteries, 
merchandising, trafficking, trading and employment 
within the said borough and limits, liberties and 
precincts of the same for the time being, and which 
shall for the time being and which shall hereafter 
from time to time be, and otherwise for the better 
public good, common advantage and well government 
of the borough aforesaid and the victualling of the 
said borough, and also for the better preservation, 


CHARTER OE INCORPORATION. 


281 


government, disposing, setting tlie lands, tenements, 
possessions, reversions, hereditaments, given and 
granted or assigned or hereafter given, granted or 
assigned to the aforesaid Mayor, Commonalty and 
successors, and all other things and matters what¬ 
soever of the borough aforesaid or touching or any 
way concerning the estates, rights and interests of 
the borough aforesaid; and the said laws, rights, 
orders and constitutions according to their sober 
discretions, as need shall require, to change them 
into better and more convenient and to confirm them; 
and what the Mayor of the borough aforesaid for 
the time being and the Tbvelve Capital Burgesses or 
Masters of the borough aforesaid, and the aforesaid 
merchants and inhabitants called to them as aforesaid 
for the time being, or the major part of them, as 
often as they shall constitute, make, ordain and 
establish such laws, statutes, rights, ordinances and 
constitutions in form aforesaid, to make, ordain, limit 
and provide such and such manner of punishments, 
penalties by imprisonment of body, or by fines and 
amerciaments, or by oath of them to and upon all 
offenders against such laws, institutions, rights, 
ordinances and constitutions, or any one or more 
of them, as to them, the said Mayor and Twelve 
Capital Burgesses or masters or merchants or in¬ 
habitants aforesaid or the major part of them, for 
the time being, shall seem more necessary, suitable 
and requisite and reasonable for the observation of 
the said laws, ordinances and constitutions, and that 
they may levy the said fines and amerciaments by 
distress or action of debt, as to them shall seem 


i 


282 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


meet, and have them to the proper use and behoof 
of the aforesaid Mayor and Commonalty of the 
borough aforesaid and their successors, without the 
impediment or let of us, our heirs and successors, 
and without any account thereof to be made to us 
or our successors, all and singular which laws and 
ordinances, rights and constitutions so to be made 
as aforesaid, we will have to be observed under the 
penalties contained therein, so as such laws, ordinances, 
rights, constitutions, imprisonments, fines and amer¬ 
ciaments be not repugnant or contrary to the laws, 
statutes, constitutions or rights of our kingdom of 
England. And further we will, and by these presents, 
for ourselves, our heirs and successors, do grant that 
the aforesaid Mayor and Commonalty of the Borough 
of Plymouth and their successors, from time to time 
for ever, shall and may nominate and elect, constitute 
and appoint, such and so many officers and ministers 
whatsoever within the said borough, as to them the 
said Mayor and Commonalty or the major part of 
them, shall seem fit for the better government and 
common advantage and service of the said borough, 
and as heretofore in the said borough hath been 
used and accustomed. Moreover we have granted 
and by these presents, for ourselves, our heirs and 
successors, do grant to the aforesaid Mayor and 
Commonalty of the Borough of Plymouth and their 
successors, that no foreigner, who is not a Freeman 
of the said borough, do sell or cause to be sold 
any merchandize or wares within the said borough 
aforesaid, precincts and liberties thereof, otherwise 
than in gross, unless only at the times of fairs or 


CHARTER OF INCORPORATION. 


283 


markets to be held and kept in the said borough, 
as in the said borough hath anciently been used; 
and that no foreigner or any other whatsoever, do 
buy or sell any merchandize, victual or wares what¬ 
soever, coming to the said borough aforesaid, before 
the said merchandize, victuals or wares be brought 
to the borough aforesaid, and there laid and deposited 
at certain public places, and usual for the buying 
and selling of such merchandize, victuals and wares. 
And further we have granted, and for ourselves, our 
heirs and successors, by these presents do grant to 
the aforesaid Mayor and Commonalty of the aforesaid 
borough and their successors, that the Mayor of the 
borough for the time being, for ever hereafter, be 
and shall be Clerk of the Market within the said 
borough, liberty and precincts of the same as here¬ 
tofore in the said borough hath been used and 
accustomed, and that he shall and may do and 
execute or cause to be done and executed for ever, 
all and whatsoever doth belong to the office of the 
Clerk of the Market, and all and singular other 
deeds and things to be performed, which belong to 
the executing and performing the said office within 
the said borough, liberties and precincts of the same, 
as heretofore in the said borough hath been used 
and accustomed. Moreover we will, and for our¬ 
selves, our heirs and successors, do ordain and grant 
by these presents to the aforesaid Mayor and Common¬ 
alty of the borough aforesaid and their successors, 
during the term which he shall be in his office of 
mayoralty, be our Escheator, our heirs and successors 
within the said borough and liberties and precincts 


284 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


thereof, as heretofore in the said borough hath been 
used and accustomed, and that he do and execute 
and shall and may do and execute within the borough 
aforesaid, liberties and precincts of the same, all and 
whatsoever belongs to the office of Escheator there, 
as heretofore in the said borough hath been used 
and accustomed; and that the Mayor of the said 
borough for the time being, before he be admitted 
to the execution of the said office of Clerk of the 
Market and Escheator of the said borough, do take 
his corporal oath for the true and faithful executing 
and performing these offices of Clerk of the Market 
and Escheator, before the old Mayor and Commonalty 
of the said borough for the time being, or the major 
part of them, so as that any of our Escheators, our 
heirs and successors in our County of Devon, do not 
anyway intermeddle for anything which belongs to 
the office of Escheator within the said borough, nor 
presume to interpose in anyway hereafter unless 
defect of the Mayor of the borough aforesaid for 
the time being, as heretofore in time past hath been 
accustomed in the said borough. And moreover of 
our abundant special grace, and of our certain 
knowledge and mere motion, we have given, granted 
and confirmed and by these presents for ourselves, 
our heirs and successors, do give, grant and confirm to 
the aforesaid Mayor and Commonalty of the borough 
aforesaid and their successors, all and singular markets, 
fairs, liberties, free customs, priviledges, franchises, 
immunities, executions, quittances and jurisdictions 
whatsoever, which the aforesaid Mayor and Common¬ 
alty of the said borough, by whatsoever name or 


V 


CHARTER OF INCORPORATION. 


285 


names, incorporation or incorporations, or upon any 
pretence of incorporation whatsoever, have heretofore 
rightfully or lawfully had, held, used or enjoyed by 
reason or pretence of any charters or letters patents 
heretofore made, confirmed or granted in any manner 
by us or any of our progenitors, or by any other 
lawful manner, rights, custom, use, prescription or 
title, heretofore lawfully held, used or accustomed to 
be held and enjoyed by the said Mayor and Common¬ 
alty and their successors for ever, yielding there to 
us, our heirs and successors such, and such like 
manner of rents, services, sums of money, and 
demands, which on that account hath been heretofore 
wont to be due, and of right answered to us, our 
heirs and successors. Moreover we will and grant 
to the aforesaid Mayor and Commonalty of the 
borough aforesaid, that they have, hold, use and 
enjoy for ever all liberties, free customs, priviledges, 
authorities and acquittances aforesaid, according to 
the tenor of effect and those, our letters patents, 
without the let or impediments of us, our heirs or 
successors whatsoever. And our will is that the 
said Mayor and Commonalty of the borough afore¬ 
said or any of them, nor any Freeman of the borough 
aforesaid be on the account of the premises, or any 
of them by us, our heirs, our justices, sheriffs, 
escheators, or other bailiffs or our ministers, our 
heirs or successors whatsoever hindered, molested, 
troubled or grieved or any ways disturbed. More¬ 
over we will and grant to the aforesaid Mayor and 
Commonalty of the Borough of Plymouth aforesaid, 
that they have and shall have, these our letters 


286 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


patents under tlie Seal of England, in due manner 
made and sealed without fine or fee, great or small, 
to be thereupon in any matter rendered, made or 
paid to us in our Stamper Office or elsewhere for 
our use, notwithstanding the express mention of the 
true yearly value, or the certainty of the premises 
or any part of them, or of any other gifts or grants 
heretofore made by us or by any of our progenitors, to 
the aforesaid Mayor and Commonalty of the borough 
aforesaid, hath not in these presents been made or any 
statute, act, ordinances, proclamations, provision or 
restraints to the contrary thereof heretofore had, 
made, granted, ordered or provided, or any other 
thing, cause or matter whatsoever in anywise not¬ 
withstanding. In testimony whereof we have caused 
these our letters to be made patents, witness ourselfe 
at Westminster, the twenty-eighth day of February, 
in the three and forteith year of our reign.’ And we 
ratifying and being well pleased with the charters and 
letters aforesaid, and all and everything contained 
therein, do for ourselves, our heirs and successors, 
as much as in us lies, allow and approve the same. 
And to our beloved, the now Mayor and Commonalty 
of the borough aforesaid and their successors, by the 
tenour of these presents, do ratify and confirm as 
the charters and letters aforesaid, do reasonably in 
themselves evidence. In testimony whereof, we have 
made these our letters to be made patents. Witness 
ourself at Westminster, the fourth day of November, 
in the year of our reign of England, France and 
Ireland, the twelfth, and of Scotland the forty-eighth. 
Know ye that w r e being desirous to ratify the letters 


CHARTER OE INCORPORATION. 


patents and charters above recited or mentioned, 
franchises, immunities, exonerations, gifts and grants 
and all other things whatsoever, in the same or any 
of them contained, have for ourselves, our heirs and 
successors, ratified, approved and confirmed the same 
to our now well beloved subjects, the Mayor and 
Commonalty of Plymouth aforesaid, and by these 
presents do ratify, approve and confirm so fully, 
freely and intirely, in such ample manner and form, 
as if all and singular the things granted in the said 
letters patents, or mentioned to be granted, had been 
particularly in these presents expressed, recited or 
mentioned, although the same or any of them hereto¬ 
fore have not been used, or have been or are abused 
or discontinued and although the same or any of them 
have been or are forfeited or lost, yielding therefore 
to us, our heirs and successors, the same and such 
like services, rents, sums of money and demands, 
which on that account they have formerly paid, or 
of right ought to yield or pay. Wherefore we with 
and by these presents for ourselves, our heirs and 
successors, do firmly injoin, order and command that 
the aforesaid Mayor and Commonalty of the borough 
aforesaid and their successors, may have, hold, use 
and enjoy, and shall and may fully and absolutely, 
have, hold, use and enjoy for ever, all the libertys, 
free customs, priviledges, authorities, jurisdictions and 
quittances aforesaid, according to the tenour of these 
our letters patents, without the lett or impediment 
of us, our heirs or successors, or of any officers or 
ministers of us, our heirs or successors whatsoever, 
ordering that the said Mayor and Commonalty of 


288 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


the borough aforesaid or their successors or any of 
them, he not on accompt of the premises or any 
thing thereof by us, our heirs or successors, our 
justices, sheriffs, escheators, or other bayliffs, or our 
officers, our heirs or successors whatsoever hindered, 
molested, troubled or grieved or any way disturbed, 
willing and by these presents requiring and command¬ 
ing as well our treasurer, chancellor and barons of 
our exchequer at Westminster, and other justices and 
officers of us, our heirs and successors, as also our 
Attorney General for the time being, or any of them, 
and all other officers and ministers of us, our heirs 
and successors whatsoever, that neither they nor any 
of them, do not prosecute or continue, or do or cause 
to be prosecuted or continued, any writ or summons 
of quo warranto or any other writ, writts and our 
processes whatsoever, against the aforesaid Mayor 
and Commonalty of the borough aforesaid or their 
successors, or any one or more of them, for any 
causes, things, matters, offences, claims or usurpations 
or any of them, by themselves or their predecessors, 
or any of them duely claimed, used, held, had or 
enjoyed before the day of the execution of these 
presents. Moreover willing that the Mayor and 
Commonalty of the borough aforesaid, and their 
successors, by any one or more justices, officers or 
ministers aforesaid in or for the due use, clayme 
or abuse, of any other libertyes, franchises or juris¬ 
dictions within the borough aforesaid, the limits and 
precincts thereof, before the day of the making of 
these our letters patents, be not molested or hindered 
or be forced to render up them or any of them. 


CHARTER OF INCORPORATION. 


289 


And wliereas the aforesaid Lady Elizabeth, late 
Queen of England, by her foresaid charter or letters 
patents, bearing date at Westminster, the twenty- 
eighth day of February, in the three and fortieth 
year of her reign, hath for herself, her heirs and 
successors, granted to the Mayor and Commonalty 
of the Borough of Plymouth and their successors 
for ever, among other things, that the Mayor and 
Pec order of the said borough for the time being, 
during the time that they shall happen to be in 
their offices, and the last predecessor of the aforesaid 
Mayor then surviving, and for the time being, and 
their successors, should be justices of the late Queen, 
and every one of them should be her justice, her 
heirs and successors, for the keeping and preserving 
and causing the keeping and preserving of the peace 
in the said borough and within the limits, precincts 
and libertyes of the same, without any other mandate, 
commission or warrant from the said late Queen, her 
heirs and successors, to be therefore had and obtained. 
And that the said Mayor and Pecorder and last pre¬ 
decessor of the said Mayor of the borough aforesaid 
for the time being, and their successors or two of 
them, whereof the said Mayor or Pecorder for the 
time being, she would have to be one, should have 
full power and authority to inquire into any felonyes, 
transgressions, misprisions, crimes and other failures 
and articles whatsoever, made, done or committed 
within the aforesaid borough and limits, libertys and 
precincts thereof, which before the Keepers and 
Justices of the Peace in any county of the kingdom 
of England, by the laws and statutes of the said 


290 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


kingdom, ought or may be inquired into: yet so as 
that the said Mayor, Recorder and last predecessor 
of the borough aforesaid for the time being, and 
their successors or any of them, should not by any 
means then afterwards proceed to the determination 
of any murder or felony or any other matter touching 
loss of life or limbes within the burrough aforesaid, 
the limits, precincts or libertyes thereof, without 
special mandate of the said Queen, her heirs or 
successors. And the aforesaid late Queen haye 
granted to the Mayor and Commonalty of the 
Burrough of Plymouth aforesaid and their successors, 
that the said Mayor and Recorder and last pre¬ 
decessor of the Mayor of the burrough aforesaid for 
the time being, or two of them, whereof she would 
have the aforesaid Mayor or Recorder for the time 
being to be one, and their successors, then for ever 
after, should and might enquire into, heare, accom¬ 
plish and determine, all and singular other crimes, 
transgressions offences, failures and articles, which 
did belong to the office of a Justice of the Peace 
within the said borough and the limits, precincts 
and libertyes thereof, soe fully, freely and absolutely 
and in such manner and forme as any other Justices 
of the Peace of the said Queen, her heirs or successors, 
in any county of the kingdom of England, by the 
lawes and statutes of the said kingdom or any of 
them, may or might enquire, hear or determine. 
And the said late Queen required for herself, her 
heirs and successors, firmly by the said letters 
patents, and commanded that none of her Justices 
of the Peace or any one of them, her heirs and 


CHARTER OF INCORPORATION. 


291 


successors, in the County of Devon, or in any other 
county or countys for the time being, should any, 
way afterwards intermeddle for or concerning any- 
felonyes, things, causes, matters, defects or other 
articles whatsoever, belonging or appertaining to the 
office of a Justice of the Peace, within the said 
burrougli, limits, libertys or precincts thereof, for any 
cause whatsoever issueing or happening, nevertheless 
the said Mayor and Commonalty of the aforesaid 
Bnrrough of Plymouth, have shewn to us that the 
cause of the want of more justices there, (there being 
only three, to witt, the Mayor, Becorder, and last 
predecessor of every Mayor, which Recorder for the 
most part, inhabiteth out of the borough aforesaid, 
and the last predecessor of the Mayor, oftentimes by 
his business or affairs being hindered, is necessarily 
absent from the borough aforesaid,) diverse enormityes 
and inconveniences do arise, for oftentimes it happens 
by reason of the absence of some of these justices, 
that the sessions of the peace in the burrougli afore¬ 
said cannot be held in the usual times, but be delayed 
to the loss and prejudice of our subjects, who are 
obliged to make their appearance there or answer 
upon recognizance or otherwise; oftentimes also divers 
young men being by profession seaman and within 
the burrougli aforesaid, being for small crimes and 
offences, commonly called petty theft and larcenys 
attached, have been sent to the common goale of 
the County of Devon, being distant forty miles 
or thereabout from the aforesaid burrougli, where, 
among wicked people, they have soe accustomed 
themselves to wickedness, that they return unfitt 


292 


IIISTOllY OF PLYMOUTH. 


for service ; from whence also very great costs and 
troubles have ensued to our subjects, being obliged 
to give evidence there, and for the sending of the 
inhabitants of the burrougli aforesaid thither to prison. 
And moreover, the said Mayor and Commonalty have 
most humbly petitioned us, that we would extend 
our royal favour and bounty, by the assigning and 
appointing more justices for the preserving of the 
peace within the burrougli aforesaid and hearing 
and determining certaine felonyes, transgressions and 
offences, committed within the burrougli aforesaid, 
and the adding of power to hear and determine 
small felonys and larcenys there to be committed. 
Know ye further, that we, considering the premises 
and being desirous to give a remedy in the premises, 
of our further special grace and from our certaine 
knowledge and mere motion, have granted, and by 
these presents, for ourselves and successors, do grant 
to the aforesaid Mayor and Commonalty of the 
Borough of Plymouth aforesaid and their successors, 
that the Mayor and Kecorder of the said borough 
for the time being, during the time which they shall 
happen to be in their offices, and the last predecessor 
of every Mayor of the said burrough for the time 
being, during one year after he shall have departed 
from his office of mayoralty, and also the two 
antientest Capital Burgesses of the burrough afore¬ 
said, in degree and order of election, within the 
burrough aforesaid, for the time being, besides the 
aforesaid Mayor for the time being, and besides his 
aforesaid last predecessor, be justices of us, our heirs 
and successors, and each of them be justice of us, 


CHARTER OF INCORPORATION. 


293 


our heirs and successors, to keep and preserve, and 
to cause to be kept and preserved the peace of us, 
our heirs and successors in the said borough, and 
do all things there which do belong to the office of 
a justice, appointed to keep the peace in any county 
in England, by the laws and statutes of the kingdom 
of England, to he done and executed without any 
other command, commission or warrant from us, our 
heirs and successors, to be therefore had and obtained. 
And that the said Mayor and Recorder, and last 
predecessor of every Mayor of the borough aforesaid 
for the time being, and also the aforesaid two other 
most antient Capital Burgesses of the said borough, 
in degree and order of election within the borough 
aforesaid, as is aforementioned for the time being, or 
any two or more of them, of whom the Mayor or 
Recorder of the borough aforesaid for the time being, 
we will shall be one, have full power and authority 
to enquire concerning any felonyes, transgressions, 
crimes, and other offences and articles whatsoever 
made, had or committed within the said burrough 
and the libertys, precincts and limits thereof, which 
ought and may be enquired into before the Keeper 
and Justices of the Peace, in any county of our 
kingdom of England, by the laws and statutes of the 
said kingdom, so that they do not in any manner 
hereafter proceed to the determination of any murder 
or felony (little felonys or larcenys called in English, 
petty larcenys being excepted,) or of any other 
matter touching loss of life or limbs within the 
borough aforesaid, the limits, precincts and libertys 
of the same, without the special mandate of us, our 


294 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


heirs and successors. Nevertheless we will, and our 
intention is, and by these presents, for us, our heirs 
and successors, we grant to the aforesaid Mayor and 
Commonalty of the borough aforesaid and their 
successors, that the Mayor, Eecorder, and last pre¬ 
decessor of the Mayor, and the aforesaid two other 
most antient Capital Burgesses of the borough 
aforesaid, in degrees and order of election, as is 
aforementioned for the time being, or any two or 
more of them, of whom the Mayor or Recorder of 
the borough aforesaid for the time being, we will 
shall be one, shall and may for ever hereafter 
enquire of all and singular other crimes, transgress¬ 
ions, offences, failures and articles, and of all small 
felonyes or larcenys and inferior offences and crimes, 
commonly called petty thefts and petty larcenys 
committed or to be committed, and there happening 
within the borough aforesaid, the limits, precincts 
and libertys of the same, and all and singular the 
same to hear and determine; and the offender 
according to the laws and customs of our kingdom 
of England, with due punishment to correct, so fully, 
freely and absolutely, and in such ample manner 
and form, as any other Justices of the Peace of us, 
our heirs and successors, in any county of our 
kingdom of England, by the laws and statutes of 
our said kingdom or any of them, may and ought 
to inquire into, hear and determine and correct. And 
furthermore we will, and for ourselves our heirs and 
successors, firmly by these presents, do command 
that no Justices of the Peace of us, our heirs or 
successors, in our County of Devon, or in any other 


CHARTER OF INCORPORATION. 


295 


county or countys for the time being, intermeddle 
anyway hereafter, nor any one of them do intermeddle 
for or touching any felonys, things, causes, matters, 
failures or other articles whatsoever, belonging or 
appertaining to the office of a Justice of Peace 
within the said borough, limits, libertys and precincts 
thereof, upon any cause arising or happening. And 
we will, and by these presents, for ourselves, our 
heirs and successors, do constitute and ordaine that 
all and singular the aforesaid most antient Capital 
Burgesses of the burrough aforesaid, in the degree 
and order of election as is beforementioned, as well 
present as future, being by these iiresents constituted 
to execute the offices of Justices of the Peace within 
the borough aforesaid, libertys, limits and precincts 
of the same, before they or any of them be admitted 
to the execution of the offices of Justices of the 

M 

Peace there, they and every one of them shall take 
their corporal oath upon the Holy Gospel of God, 
w^ell and faithfully to execute the office of Justices 
of the Peace within the borough aforesaid, the 
libertys and precincts thereof, in and through all 
things touching and concerning the said office; also 
they and every of them shall perform such oaths, 
as in that parte by the laws and statutes of the 
kingdom of England are provided, which are required 
to be taken by Justices of the Peace, before the 
Mayor of the said borough for the time being. To 
which Mayor of the borough aforesaid for the time 
being, we do by these presents, for ourselves, our heirs, 
and successors, give and grant full power, ability and 
authority in like manner to give and administer such 


296 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


oath from time to time, and this without any further 
warrant or any other commission, to he procured or 
obtained from us, our heirs or successors on that 
accompt. Notwithstanding express mention hath not 
not in these presents been made of the true yearly 
value or of the certainty of the premises, or any of 
them or of other gifts or grants heretofore made 
by us or any of our progenitors or predecessors to 
the aforesaid Mayor and Commonalty of Plymouth 
aforesaid, or any statute, act, ordinance, provision, 
proclamation or restriction to the contrary thereof 
heretofore had, made, given, ordered or provided or 
any other thing, cause or matter whatsoever in any 
thing notwithstanding. In testimony whereof we 
have caused these our letters to be made patents, 
witness ourself at Westminster the third day of 
March, in the third year of our reign. 

We, ratifying and well pleased with all and sin¬ 
gular the franchises, libertyes, priviledges, quittances, 
immunityes, concessions and confirmations as aforesaid 
for ourselves, our heirs and successors, as much as in 
us lyes, do allow, approve and ratifye, and all and 
singular the franchises, libertyes, priviledges, quit¬ 
tances and immunityes aforesaid, to our beloved the 
Mayor and Burgesses or Magistrates in these presents 
hereafter named, and to the Mayor or Burgesses and 
Magistrates of the borough aforesaid and their suc¬ 
cessors, doe by these presents, grant and confirme, as 
the charters and letters patents aforesaid do reasonably 
testifye, and as the said Mayor and Burgessess of the 
said Borough of Plymouth or their predecessors, ever 
ought, could or should use and enjoy the franchises, 


CHARTER OE INCORPORATION. 


297 


libertyes, quittances and immunityes aforesaid, altlio’ 
the said Mayor and Burgesses of the same borough or 
their predecessors, have abused or not used the fran- 
cliizes, libertyes, privileges, quittances and immunityes 
aforesaid or any of them. And forasmuch as we are 
given to understand, that on pretence of two instru¬ 
ments or witnesses, to which the common Seal of the 
Mayor and Commonalty of the borough aforesaid, hath 
by a combination of a few of the said borough been 
set and affixed, one of them bearing date the fifteenth 
day of March, in the thirty-sixth year of the reign 
of late Lord, King Charles the Second, our prede¬ 
cessor, of our happy memory; and the other of them, 
bearing date the seventeenth day of April, in the same 
thirty-sixth year of the reign of the said late King, 
Charles the Second, or either or one of them; and in 
the Court of Eecord of Chancery of the said late King 
inrolled, purporting to be a grant or surrender by the 
aforesaid Mayor and Commonalty of the said late 
King, his heirs and successors, of all and singular 
mannors, lordships, messuages, mills, suites of mills, 
lands, tenements, hereditaments, markets, fairs, market 
places, flesh-shambles, standings, wharfs, tolls, dutyes, 
town-customs, to be paid upon importing or exporting 
goods and merchandizes, dues on payments for rollage, 
package, kayage, wharfage and landleif dues, com¬ 
monly called dues or payments of or for ale-weights 
and wine-weights, courts, profits, and perquisites of 
courts, mill-leats, waters, watercourses, weares, rents, 
reversions, advowsons of vicarages and churches, rights 
of patronage and presentations to the vicarages, wastes 
and all other statutes, rights, titles, interests, fran- 


298 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


cliizes, libertyes, privileges, presentments, emoluments 
and hereditaments whatsoever, with the appurtenances 
of and in which the said Mayor and Commonalty then 
and at any time before, hath been anyway seized, 
possessed, estated, entitled or interested by the right 
of their Corporation, or in their corporate capacity, 
by any means whatsoever. And also purporting to 
be a grant by the aforesaid Mayor and Commonalty 
to the said late King, of all instruments, obligations, 
specialtys, and obligations whatsoever, wherein or 
whereby any person or persons then stood bound or 
obliged to the aforesaid Mayor and Commonalty of 
the Borough of Plymouth, in their corporal capacity, 
and sums of money thereon due and to be due, to¬ 
gether with all debts, rents, sumes and snmes of 
money whatsoever, then due to the aforesaid Mayor 
and Commonalty by any person or persons what¬ 
soever; and also purporting to be a grant, surrender 
and delivery of all and singular their charters, letters 
patents, incorporations, franchises, libertyes, privileges, 
powers, authorityes and immunityes whatsoever, at any 
time or times then before granted or held and enjoyed 
by the said Mayor and Commonalty, or by their or 
any of their predecessors, by any ways or means or 
by any name or names whatsoever. Also because, 
as well by reason of the aforesaid pretended grant 
and surrender, as by pretence or colour of a charter 
or letters patents of incorporation, made and granted 
or mentioned to be granted by the aforesaid late King, 
Charles the Second, after the date of the said instru¬ 
ments or pretended surrender, divers doubts, questions 
and controversyes have arisen, of and concerning the 


CHARTER OF INCORPORATION. 


299 


libertyes, franchises, customs, lands and possessions of 
the Mayor and Commonalty of the borough aforesaid, 
and also of and concerning the election and continu¬ 
ance of the officers of the borough aforesaid. Know 
yee therefore, that we graciously desiring the peace, 
tranquility and good government of the said borough 
and Commonalty and inhabitants of the same, and 
intending to take away and remove all the said 
doubts, questions and controversys in this case, have 
of our special grace, and our certain knowledge and 
mere motion, assigned, nominated, constituted and 
made, and by these presents, for ourselves, our heirs 
and successors, do assigne, nominate, constitute and 
make our beloved John Munyon, Merchant, to be 
the first and modern Mayor of the burrough afore¬ 
said, to be continued in the same office to such 
time and in such manner and forme, as in the said 
burrough hath been accustomed and used before the 
day of the date of the aforesaid pretended grant or 
surrender, or either of them, or at any time before. 
And we have assigned, nominated, constituted and 
made, and by these presents, for ourselves, our heirs 
and successors, do assigne, nominate, constitute and 
make our beloved Francis Drake, Baronett, to be 
our first and modern Becorder of the borough afore¬ 
said, to be continued in the said office during his 
natural life. And we have assigned, nominated, 
constituted and made, and by these presents, for our¬ 
selves, our heirs and successors, do assigne, nominate, 
constitute and make our beloved William Symons, 
Gent., William Cotton, William Tour, the aforesaid 
John Munyon, James Hull, Merchants, Peter Foot, 


300 


HISTOEY OF PLYMOUTH. 


Gent., Philip Wilcocks, John Warren, John Neel, 
Merchants, Thomas Knotsford, Apothecary, Richard 
Opie, William Munyon, Merchants, and Thomas 
Bound, Pewterer, to be our first and modern Capital 
Freemen or Masters for the borough aforesaid, to 
be continued in the said offices to such time, and 
in such manner and forme as hath been used and 
accustomed in the said borough, before the day of 
the date of the aforesaid pretended surrender, or 
any time before. And we have assigned, nominated, 
constituted and made, and by these presents, for our¬ 
selves, our heirs and successors, do assigne, nominate, 
constitute and make our beloved Edmund Pollexfen, 
Esq., to be our first and modern Common Clerke of 
the borough aforesaid, to be continued in the said 
office during his natural life. And we have assigned, 
nominated, constituted and made, and by these pre¬ 
sents, for ourselves, our heirs and successors, do 
assign, nominate, constitute and make our beloved 
Thomas Payne, Gent., to be our first and modern 
Coroner of the borough aforesaid, to be continued in 
the said office during the good pleasure of the Mayor 
and Capital Burgesses or Masters of the borough 
aforesaid. And we have assigned, nominated, con¬ 
stituted and made, and by these presents, doe, for 
ourselves, our heirs and successors, assigne, nominate, 
constitute and make our beloved Gregory Martyn, 
Apothecary, James Yonge, Chiurgeon, Joseph Webb, 
Merchant, Robert Berry, Gentleman, John Rogers, 
William Davis, Nathanael Yonge, Nathanael Dourish, 
Merchants, Samuel Allyn, Thomas Limbeare, William 
Cock, Mercers, Nicholas Gennys, Grocer, Thomas 


CHARTER OF INCORPORATION. 


301 


Darracott, Merchant, John Wallis, Mercer, Jonah 
Lavington, Apothecary, Samuel How, Brewer, James 
Cock, Bobert Wilcocks, Merchant, Francis Hill, Bobt. 
Hewer, Grocers, Samuel Harris, Woolen Draper, Bobt. 
Cowne, Druggist, William Hurrill and John Simmones 
to be our first and modern Common Councellors of 
the borough aforesaid, to be continued in the same 
offices to such time, and in such manner and forme 
as in the said borough hath been used and accustomed 
before the day of the aforesaid pretended surrender, 
or at any time heretofore. And we have assigned, 
nominated, constituted and made, and do by these 
presents, for ourselves, our heirs and successors, as- 
signe, nominate, constitute and make our beloved 
George Treby, Ivnight, Chief Justice of our Common 
Bench, Charles Trelawney, Esq., the aforesaid Francis 
Drake, William Courtney, William Davy, Walter 
Young, Baronets, John Elwill, Kt., Josias Calmady, 
George Barker, William Harris, of Hayne, Arthur 
Tremayne, John Clobery, John Arscott, Martyn Bider, 
Courtney Croker, John Coplestone, Edward Fortescue, 
Nicholas Morris, Moses Gould, Henry Watts, Esq., 
Thomas Pyne and John Sprage, Doctors in Physick, 
George Laptkorne, Samuel Carkett, Philip Pentyre, 
Merchants, and John Vallack, Apothecary, to be the 
first and modern Freemen of the burrough aforesaid. 

And further, out of our more abundant grace, and 
out of our certain knowledge and mere motion, we 
have given, granted, restored, confirmed, approved 
and ratifyed, and by these presents do, for ourselves, 
our heirs and successors, give, grant, restore, con¬ 
firm, approve and ratify to the Mayor and Commonalty 


302 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


of the Borough of Plymouth aforesaid, and their 
successors, all and all manner of mannors, lordships, 
messuages, mills, suites at mills, lands, tenements, 
hereditaments, markets, fairs, market places, flesh- 
shambles, standings, wharfs, tolls, dues, dutys or 
town-customs, to be paid on importing or exporting 
goods and merchandizes, debts or payments for rollage, 
package, kayage, wharfage, and landlief, and debts 
commonly called debts or payments for or concerning 
ale-weights, wine-weiglits, courts, profits and per¬ 
quisites of courts, mill leats, waters, watercourses, 
weares, rents, reversions, advowsons of vicarages and 
churches, rights of patronages and presentations to 
the vicarages, wastes and all other statutes, rights, 
titles, interests, franchises, libertyes, priviledges, 
profitts, emoluments and hereditaments whatsoever, 
with the appertenances of and in which the said 
Mayor and Commonalty at the time of the aforesaid 
pretended surrender, or either of them, or at any 
time heretofore have been anyway seized, possessed, 
estated, intitled or interested by the right of their 
Corporation, or in their corporate capacity by any 
means whatsoever. And also all instruments, obli¬ 
gatory, specialtys and obligations whatsoever, wherein 
or whereby any person or persons at the time of the 
aforesaid pretended surrender, or either of them, or 
at any time before, stood bound or obliged to the 
aforesaid Mayor and Commonalty of the Borough of 
Plymouth in their corporated capacity, and sume and 
sumes of money by the same due, and to be due, 
and all other dues, rents, sume and sumes of money 
whatsoever due to the aforesaid Mayor and Com- 


CHARTER OF INCORPORATION. 


303 


monalty, by any person or persons whatsoever. And 
all such and such like powers, prescriptions, libertyes, 
franchises, immunityes, jurisdictions, charters, letters 
patents, letters patents of incorporations, customs, 
profits, offices, officers, exemptions, quittances, wastes, 
voids, funds, commodities, emoluments, goods, chattels 
and hereditaments whatsoever, which and whatsoever 
by the letters patents, bearing date the third day of 
March, in the third year of the reign of the said 
late King, Charles the First, have been granted and 
confirmed, or mentioned to be granted and confirmed 
to the Mayor and Commonalty of the borough afore¬ 
said or which the Mayor and Commonalty of the 
borough aforesaid or their successors, by whatsoever 
name or names of incorporation, before the said 
seventeenth day of April, in the aforesaid thirty-sixth 
year of the reign of our- late Lord, King Charles the 
Second, have, had, used, held or enjoyed or occupied 
or ought or might have held, used or enjoyed, to 
themselves or their successors, by reason or pretence 
of the said several letters patents or any one of them, 
or any charters, grants or letters patents whatsoever 
by any of our progenitors or predecessors, late Kings 
or Queens of England, have been in any manner 
granted or confirmed before the seventeenth day of 
April, in the thirty-sixth year of the reign of our 
late Lord, King Charles the Second, or by any other 
legal manner, right or title, custome, use or pre¬ 
scription before the date of the presents, have been 
lawfully used, held, accustomed or enjoyed. And 
further we have given and granted, and by these 
presents do, for ourselves, our heirs and successors, 


304 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


give and grant unto the Mayor and Commonalty of 
the Borough of Plymouth aforesaid and their suc¬ 
cessors, all and singular instruments, obligatory, 
specialties and obligations whatsoever, wherein and 
whereby any person or persons, at any time after 
the aforesaid pretended grant and surrender, or either 
of them, and before the date of these our letters 
patents, stood bound or obliged to any person or 
persons taking upon themselves to be a body corpor- 
ated or politick, by the name of the Mayor and 
Commonalty of the Borough of Plymouth, by pretence 
or colour of the aforesaid letters patents, made by 
the said late King, Charles the Second, and sume 
and sumes of money by them due, and to be due, 
and all other dues, rents, sume and sumes of money 
whatsoever due to the aforesaid persons, taking upon 
themselves to be a body corporate and politick, by 
the name of the Mayor and Commonalty of the 
Borough of Plymouth aforesaid, by any person or 
persons whatsoever. 

Moreover we will, and by these presents do order 
and command, that the aforesaid Becorder, Capital 
Burgesses or Masters, Common Clerk, Coroner and 
Common Councillors of the borough aforesaid, by 
these presents nominated and appointed before they 
or any of them be admitted to the execution of their 
offices and trusts, they, and every of them, shall 
severally perform, make and subscribe the several 
oaths required and usual for the due execution of 
their offices and trusts in the borough aforesaid, and 
all other solemn oaths and subscriptions required to 
be made by the laws and statutes of this our kingdom 


CHARTER OF INCORPORATION. 305 

of England, before the aforesaid John Munyon; to 
which said John Munyon we do by these presents 
give and grant full power and authority to give, 
administer and require, the said several oaths and 
subscriptions. Willing moreover, and by these 
presents, for ourselves, our heirs and successors, 
granting to the aforesaid Mayor and Commonalty of 
the burrough aforesaid and their successors, that these 
our letters patents, and the inrollment of them and 
all and singular the things contained therein, be and 
shall be good, firme, valid and effectual in the law, 
to the said Mayor and Commonalty of the borough 
aforesaid and their successors, in and by all things 
in any of our courts, and before any of our judges 
or justices whatsoever, or other officers or ministers 
of us, our heirs and successors, to be had and taken 
fully and amply as much as possible in favour and for 
the benefit of the said Mayor and Commonalty of the 
said borough aforesaid and their successors, towards 
and against us, our heirs and successors, notwith¬ 
standing the aforesaid pretended grant or surrender, 
or either of them, or any thing in them, or any of 
them contained, and notwithstanding the not naming 
or not reciting, the ill reciting, or not fully or truly 
reciting the libertys, franchizes and premises by these 
presents before granted or confirmed, or any of them 
or any other granted by us, or any of our progenitors 
or predecessors, or any of them, or any other tiling, 
cause or matter whatsoever to the contrary notwith¬ 
standing. In testimony whereof we have caused these 
our letters to be made patents. Witness ourself 
at Westminster, the eighth day of December in 


306 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


the eighth year of our reign. Per pro de privato 
sigillo. —Pigott.” 

1697. —John Warren, Mayor. “Who was a perfect 
presbyterian and went to meeting every Sunday after¬ 
noon, yet a Parliament being called, exposed all their 
advantages and tricks which were many, it was carryed 
against the Regulator for Mr. G. Trelawney and Sir 
John Rogers, against Mr. Parker and Mr. Calmady, 
who they set up 190 against 135. This so mortifyed 
the men and broke the credit of the party, that even 
the Regulator, Sir F. Drake, became quite confounded 
and never cared to concern himself in town matters 
from pure discontent. This mayor was a merchant 
and that’s all. Of no knowledge in town affairs, 
or of any parts besides loading, by which the town 
suffered much, as it did by his successor also.” 

1698. —John Neal, Mayor. “Who was also a river 
merchant, and from ignorance in town usuages and 
justiceship, was so bewildered, that things went very 
uneasy, and all the care wanting that was necessary 
to cleanse it of dung. Beggars multiplied and the 
Corporation fallen into the lowest contempt. In this 
man’s time four magistrates were chosen, Joseph 
Webb, W. Davys, S. Allen and Thos. Lymber, the 
two latter of that near model, so that in the short 
time of their charter, four of their upper bench dyed, 
viz., William Munyon, William Tom, William Cotton, 
and Thomas Knotsford.” 

1699. —Richard Opie, Mayor. “This gentleman 
was one of the 24 or Common Councillors in the 





DUKE OF BOLTON AT PLYMOUTH. 


307 


old charter, and left out by the Earle of Bath and 
W. Martin in their new one, 1684, and restored in 
that of Sir F. Drake, but he abetted none of his 
arbitrary, sinnister, whiggish designers, nor followed 
the steps of his last predecessors, but made free as 
many churchmen as he could, by which he broke 
Jno. Warren’s ballance, which displeased Sir E. Drake 
so that he abdicated the town, and came not near it 
in several years, doing us all the spite he could, 
without regard to his oath or the interest of his 
friends here, who suffered as much by his oppres¬ 
sion as did his enemies. This year the Duke of 
Bolton was treated by the body.” 

1700. —Joseph Webb, Mayor. “This good man 
was a member in the two last charters and continued 
in this. His principles were just and he acted accord¬ 
ingly and quite broke the neck of the whig interest. 
The Parliament being dissolved, Mr. Gen. Trelawney 
and his brother, the brigadier, were both chosen, 
though opposed by all the power and tricks of the 
dissenters, wliiggs and enemys of the church.” 

1701. —William Davys, Mayor. “Was a 24 or 
Common Councellman also in the two last charters, 
and so continued in this though he acted on the right 
side, like his three last predecessors. This yeare the 
brigadier dyed, and Mr. Woolcomb, of Petton, suc¬ 
ceeded, and the Parliament being dissolved, and a 
new one called, the general and Mr. Woolcomb were 
chosen.” 

1702. —William Cock, Mayor. “A good church¬ 
man, and a tory, but of no parts nor temper; he 



308 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


was E. Berry’s brother-in-law, who had now screwed 
himself into the Town Clerk’s chair, and proved as 
imperious and arbitrary as his master Pollexfen had 
before him. He governed this mayor, but nothing 
memorable happened this year.” 

1703.—Nicholas Gennys, Mayor. “A very honest 
good man. Some judges come to town in his time, 
and among them the famous Judge Price, who made 
that noble and bold English speech in Parliament, 
when the King had given his favourite Bentinck, 
Earl of Portland, a vast estate in Wales. Nothing 
else memorable happened this year, save that in 
November in a fearful tempest, the Eddystone Light¬ 
house was washed away; when Mr. Winstanley, w r ho 
had expressed a wish to be in the building at such 
a period, perished in the stormy deep. Soon after the 
destruction of this fabric, the Winchelsea, a Yirginia- 
man, the property of Sir John Bogers, Bart., of 
Plymouth, laden with tobacco for this port, was 
wrecked on those rocks in the night, and every 
soul lost.” “The twelve Almshouses at Coxside, 
built for the widows of decayed mariners, at the 
expense of Col. Jory, native of the town; each 
widow has 25s. per month allowed.” “ Capts. Kirby 
and Wade, of the Eoyal Navy, shot on the Hoe, 
pursuant to sentence of Court Martial, buried in lead 
coffins in Charles’ Church Plymouth, imder the pulpit.” 

The following document is highly interesting, show¬ 
ing the expense of the Plymouth Pishing Feast this 
year. The occasion of the fishing feast is as follows. 


FISHING FEAST. 


309 


The Mayor and Commonalty of the borough meet 
annually on a certain day, at the head-weir of the 
Plymouth Leat, in the Parish of Walkhampton, about 
nine miles distant from the town, and there drink, 
in aqua pura , to the memory of Sir Francis Drake, 
by whose munificence the fine stream of water with 
which the town is supplied, was brought a circuitous 
route of nearly 30 miles. After the performance of 
this ceremony, they return to Jump to dinner, and 
before they separate, the health of the intended mayor 


for 

the year ensuing, is generally 

proposed and drank. 

Expended at Jump. 

£ 

s. 

d. 





Peef 

0 

5 

0 




H A 

"V eal ... «• • • • • 

0 

2 

6 




-g "S 

&0 rH A 

Mutton 

0 

1 

4 




o >> 
pq £ 

Collifloores and Lemons 

0 

0 

8 





^ Stilt ••• ••• , • • • 

0 

0 

3- 

o 

o 

1 

09 

09 


6 Chickens 

0 

4 

0 





6 Ducks 

0 

4 

0 





2 Geese 

0 

3 

0 





Butter used in Ale and 








about ye Fish 

0 

4 

0 





18 Bottles of Sherry ... 

1 

16 

0 





6 Bottles of Canary and 








Fyall at 2s. 6d. 

0 

15 

0 





Syder in all 

0 

15 

0 





Beere ... • * • • • • 

0 

6 

6 





Bred and Cheese 

0 

2 

6 





Dressing of ye victualls 

0 

3 

0 





Brandy, Sugar, etc. 

0 

6 

4 





Six Bottles Syder more 

0 

1 

6- 

—£05 

00 

10 


£05 10 07 





310 


HISTOEY OF PLYMOUTH. 


Drunke after at ye Doore. £ s. d. 

Stale Beer and Sugar ... 0 0 10 

Syder ... ... ... 0 1 0 

Wyne ... ... ... 0 5 6—£00 07 04 

£05 17 11 
Sept, ye lOtli, 1703. 

Becd. of Wm. Lovell, Five Pounds, Seaventeen 
sliils. and Sixpence, ye full contents of this note, I 
say reed. ... ... ... ... £05 17 06 

Bennidick Beefe. 

Spent at Nackershole ... ... ... £00 01 00 

Total £05 18 06 

1704. —Thomas Darracott, Mayor. “One whom we 

all thought honest, hut he proved a shuffler, abetted 
the whiggs, encouraged Sir F. Drake to appear again, 
and on calling a new Parliament, he and B. Berry, as 
very a k . . . . and hypocryte as could he, fell 

in with the wrong side, ousted Mr. Woolcomb, and 
endeavoured the same with Mr. G. Trelawney, hut 
by tricks and overhearing returned Sir George Byng. 
I don’t say elected him, for had the good voices of 
the one which they refused been admitted, and their 
ill ones refused, we had carried it. But they lived 
not long to go on in their iniquity, both dying in 
the next mayoralty.” 

1705. —Jonah Lavington, Mayor. ‘ ‘ A man of prin¬ 
ciples indifferent good, hut his interest and want of 
courage made him much to the side of Sir F. Drake, 
by which means, upon the death of B. Berry, (who 
dyed this yeare) one that was no highflyer, hut a 







FATALITY IN THE CORPORATION. 


311 


trimmer great with Sir F. Drake, was made Town 
Clerk. He was as a mail, more a gentleman, more a 
lawyer, and less a knave, than the other; but Eeade, 
who we would have had chosen, would have set all 
right, upon a good and lasting foundation. He failed 
also in electing Aldermen, laying by Mr. John Blight 
after he had been chosen, under pretence of some 
defect in the form, and chose Hewer and B. Berry. 
This yeare dyed W. Symons, the oldest Alderman, 
and T. Darracott the preceding Mayor, neither of 
any loss to the town otherwise than that they made 
way for two scablers to be put into that bench. The 
death of Berry the Town Clerk, who had in all 
stations been fatal to the town, left room for Mr. 
Pengelly, a barrister, who by Sir F. Drake’s tricks, 
the insinuations, the cowardice, and evil principles 
of others, was chosen, and now Sir F. Drake appeared 
among them on all occasions, with great vigour and 
spirit.” 

“It is remarkable that eleven Aldermen, had dyed 
since the new regulation by Sir F. Drake, John 
Munyon and Co., viz.: ¥m. Symons, Win. Cotton, 
Win. Tom, John Munyon, Jas. Hull, Peter Foot, 
John Warren, Thos. Ivnotsford, Wm. Munyon, Thos. 
lumber, Thos. Darracott, besides Mr. Phil. Willcocks 
who resigned, 1705, for dotage and poverty, and 
Thos. Bound, who abdicated 1700, because he was not 
chosen mayor, as he sat after Mr. Opie, and before 
Mr. Webb.” 

1706. — Samuel Allen, Mayor. “The election of 
this man was not the least mischief his predecessor’s 


312 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


pusillanimity, trimming, or partiality produced, he was 
a creature of the Regulators and served his interest, 
and because of that, had been postponed in four 
preceeding elections, being an older Alderman than 
W. Cock. He went constantly to church, week¬ 
days as well as Sundays, hut retained a spice of his 
education, which was presbyterian. His father was 
mayor at the Regulation, 1662, and turned out for 
nonconformity. Although a close frugal man, he kept 
a very generous mayoralty, few or none equalling 
him for goodness of meat and drink at his enter¬ 
tainments. This yeare dyed Samuel How, a 12th 
Alderman, and R. Berry and Robert Cowne chosen 
in.” “The second Lighthouse on the Eddy stone 
begun.” 

✓ 

% 

1707.—James Cock, Mayor. “A man who from 
very mean beginning, became master, owner and 
merchant adventurer; of good natural parts, indif¬ 
ferent with respect to parties generally, thought an 
honest man, though he shewed a byas to the wrong 
side sometimes. In his time, the body of the famous 
Sir Cloudesley Shovel was brought in here in the 
“Salisbury,” lodged in the Citadel, and embalmed 
by Mr. Yonge, was then carryed to London, and 
interred in the Abbey of Westminster at the Queen’s 
cost.” “The body of Sir Cloudesley Shovel wrecked 
on the Scilly Islands, washed on shore at that place, 
was conveyed to the Plymouth Citadel, were it lay 
in state, till removed to the residence of his lady 
in Soho Square, London, and then buried in West¬ 
minster Abbey.” “In this mayoraltie, the tower of 



I 


LIST OF CHARTERS. 313 

Charles’ Church in Plymouth, was begun to be built 
from the height of 20 foot, which 20 foot was built 
in the year 1652, or about that time.” “This year 
the Parliament was dissolved, and we unamimously 
chose our last representatives, Mr. G. Trelawney and 
Sir G. Byng. This year the Bishop of Winchester 
visited the town, dined with the mayor; and this 
year an Act of Parliament was procured for employ¬ 
ing and maintaining the poor, whereof Mr. Yonge 
was chosen first governour, and the Workhouse 
incorporated.” 

“A list of what charters, books and other things and 
papers in the Town’s Trunk, taken this 6th October, 
1707, from John Genny’s last receiver, viz.— 

“The old charter restored, granted by King William 
the Third; King Charles’ first charter; Queen Mary’s 
charter; King James’ first charter; Queen Elizabeth’s 
charter; King Charles’ second charter; a confirmation 
of a charter by King James the First; exemplification 
of a charter by King James the First; a regulation of 
a charter from King Charles the Second, for the New¬ 
foundland trade; a charter or grant from King Charles 
the First, for erecting of Charles’ Church; Prince 
Charles’ charter for Sutton Pool; King Charles the 
Second’s charter at his restoration; a copy of a charter 
granted to merchants trading to Spain and Portugal; 
a box with parchment interrogatories; Mr. Kich’s ab¬ 
stract concerning the charter; a mortgage and another 
parchment writing concerning Sutton Pool; a bundle 
of parchments of weekly courts; a bundle of papers 
of inquisitions, copies of letters patents, etc.; 13 


314 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


bundles of loose papers; five Acts of Parliament; 
seven old written town’s books; the Black Book 
with a record of the mayors of the borough; two 
statute books; a book of Acts of Parliament; two 
covers of the Union Cup, which are at the mayor’s; 
a bread table. 

“ Plymouth, ye 6th October, 1700. 

“Then received of John Gennis, the late receiver, 
the Town Trunk with the above mentioned particulars. 

By me, ¥m. IIurrill.” 

“To the King’s most excellent majesty. The humble 
petition of Jonathan Sparke, Esq., Philip Lamon, 
Gent., Thomas Caunter, Henry Brock, Richard Allen, 
John Allen, Gideon Allen, John Gubbs, Henry 
Martin, Henry Hopkins, Elizabeth Bartlett, Anne 
Mansfield, Catharine Cramporne, Adam Grills, Mary 
Bursh, Edith Mami, William Downing, in the behalf 
of themselves and other inhabitants of the Town of 
Plymouth; most humbly shews that whereas upon 
the erecting your Majesty’s royal Citadel, now in 
hand, (upon the Howe of Plymouth, to which work 
tending much to the honour of your Majesty and the 
safeguard of the town and port there,) they have given 
all submission and obedience, though their particular 
losses are much concerned therein, their several lands 
being thereby laid waste and open, yet assuring them¬ 
selves that your Majesty’s just and royal intentions 
did no way tend to any particular prejudice of your 
petitioners, but that a fit compensation should be made 
unto them, your petitioners did formerly address them¬ 
selves by petition to the Right Honourable the Earl of 


PETITION AS TO THE HOE. 


315 


Bath, your Majesty’s Governor of the said Town and 
Fort of Plymouth, for the repairation of their several 
losses sustained in the erecting of the said Citadel. 
And whereas his Lordship was thereupon pleased to 
refer the computation of your petitioners losses and 
damages thereby sustained to*.who there¬ 

upon have made a report of the same to his Lordship, 
(which said petition and report are hereunto annexed,) 
by which do appear that the damages which your 
petitioners have sustained have been very great. And 
we do also further represent to your Majesty that the 
inconveniences which thereby do accrue to ourselves 
and families are much greater by such a dissettlement, 
which we cannot possibly make up again in any other 
place. Your petitioners therefore most humbly pray 
that your Majesty would be pleased to take us and our 
families into your royal thoughts, and to assigne a 
fit and certain repairation for the same, equal to our 
particular losses and damages. And your petitioners 
shall ever, as they are most bound in duty, pray for 
your Majesty’s prosperity and lengths of days, etc.” 

1708.—Eobert Hewer, Mayor. “A zealous party 
man of the Eegulator’s side; did nothing; nor was 
anything done worthy of remembering, save that the 
Hew Church Steeple was carryed on very far by 
subscription. Hr. Blackett our new Bishop made 
his visitation, August 30th, against which time the 
new gallery for the boys in the Poor’s Portion was 
built at the charge of the Guardians and Overseers.” 
“Mr. W. Warren was elected Governour of the 


* Left blank in the copy. 




316 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


Workhouse; Mr. Jas. Blight chosen Alderman. A 
very severe winter, great dearth, etc., a mighty light¬ 
ning and thunder, threw down one of the pinnacles 
of Saint Andrew’s tower. Soon after (in August,) 
Colonel Jory presented the church, with a ring of 
six fine hells.” 

1709. —Janies Bligh, Mayor. “An honest good 
principled man. Nothing of moment occurred in his 
time, hut a visit to the town of Lord Chief Justice 
Parker and Bury.” “In whose mayoralty, Joseph 
Jorey, Esquire, a great benefactor to this towne (hy 
building and endowing Almshouses at Coxside and 
giving six very fine tuneable bells to Charles’ Parish, 
in the late mayoralty of Mr. Hewer,) presented the 
Mayor and Commonalty with a very large double 
gilt mace; a larger and better hath not been seen.” 
“The second Lighthouse on the Eddystone finished, 
which was erected by Mr. John Budyerd, Silk Mercer 
of Ludgate Hill, London, and was constructed of stone 
and timber.” 

1710. —William Eoche, Mayor. “A man of prin¬ 
ciples good enough, averse to the Begulator, and would 
have overset all that party had done, and restored the 
church interest, but being of a rash and headstrong 
temper, and with his brother, J. Bead, having sinister 
aims, they discovered their designs, rejected the 
advice of wiser and much honester men, and alarmed 
the adverse party and were scandalously baffled.” 
“Parson Martin of the New Church quitting that 
benefice, several appeared for it, but the mayor for- 



APPOINTMENT OF MR. IIERGO. 317 

/ 

bore long to elect, by which time the Corporation were 
divided, and great animosity grew on that account, at 
length he prefixed a day for choosing, and then a 
majority of the Aldermen and Common Councel went 
out of town, but he went to the election, being but 
eight present, viz.: the Mayor, Justice Bligh, Mr. 
Gennys, Aldermen John Bead, Ileal, Phil. Collins, 
John Webb, and John Fletcher, who then elected and 
chose Mr. Hergo, a very good man every way, and 
the two justices refusing to open the chest to seal 
the presentation, it was forced, as once before, on the 
like occasion, 1680, in Mr. Symons’ mayoralty, and 
the other put in Caveats against his admission; it 
came to tryal before the Lord Bishop in Exeter, and 
the election voted good by the jury, accordingly 
Mr. Hergo was instituted, but the generality of the 
town were so averse to him and the mayor, that by 
an illegal way chose and presented him, that they first 
turned him out of his office of mayor, by virtue of 
a power in the first charter of incorporation, and then 
sued him and Hergo, upon a Quare Impedit , but just 
as it was come to the time of the assize, the Bishop 
of Winchester who was formerly of his diocess, and 
Mr. Hergo’s friend, advised him to relinquish the 
benefice upon some consideration, which he did and 
Dr. Moncton, of Liskeard, succeeded him in our new 
church. Boche, who was enough hated before, now 
was become odious to both partys, the torys for losing 
an opportunity by his folley and madness to have 
undone all that Sir Francis Drake had done to the 
advantage of the fanatics and whiggs in this town. 

“N.B.—John Bead, an attorney, and brother-in-law 


318 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


to I{oclie 5 governed this affair alone, and by ignorance, 
treachery, etc. lost all. Hergo was forced to quit, 
and Roche to hear the infamy and reproach (on record 
at Westminster and Plymouth) of having been guilty 
of such enormityes as forfeited his office. Never done 
before by 271 that preceded him in it.” 

The following interesting accounts refer to this 
affair :— 

“Reed, of Mr. Wm. Roclie, pursuant to a Rule of 
Court, made at Lammas Assizes, 1712, for the three 
old maces, which with £30 reed, of ye said Mr. 
Roche and Mr. John Webb, pursuant to ye said rule 
for cost, and which £30 hath been applyed towards 
paying the law charges in prosecuting the said Roche 
and Webb makes £71 11^. 6c/., in full of the said 
rule, £41 11s. 6d. 

“Paid several persons for watching in and about 
the Guildhall, after Mr. Roche’s amovement from his 
office of mayoralty, in order to prevent ill-designing 
persons for attempting the town seale, £5 6s. &d. 

“Paid Mr. Jno. March for the old Corporation 
maces, which were unduly sold him by ye said Mr. 
Roche, £16 11s. Qd. 

“Paid ye Town Clerk and several others their charges 
for sending expresses to London from Exeter for a Ne 
admittas and several other charges at Exeter, before 
and after ye tryall of ye Jus Patronatus , £147 14s. §d. 

“Paid Mr. Phillips and Mr. Elford, their bill of 
cost in two actions of trover against Roche and Webb, 
for recovering the town regalia over and above £30, 
received from Roche and Webb, pursuant to a Rule of 
Court, £55 10s. 6f/. 



PROSECUTION OF ROCHE AND OTHERS. 


319 


“Paid their charges for motions for two Mandamus 
against Boche and Webb, commanding them to deliver 
up the towne regalia, and for ye writts and service 
and several other motions, etc., £51 11s. 0 d. 

“Paid the hallance of their hills, relating to two quo 
warrautos against Mr. Cowne and Mr. Berry, for exer¬ 
cising the office of Mayor, £3. 

“Paid Mr. Phillips the hallance of his hill for 
opinions before and after the said amotion, for copy of 
the act of incorporation and for fees and expences of 
ye try all of ye Jus Patronatus , the sum of £52 6s. 0 d. 

“Paid other charges relateing thereto, £7 3s. 0 d. 
“1712. —Andrew Phillip s. 

“Paid Mr. Elford, etc., the hallance of their hills of 
cost at common law and chancery, in defending 
severall actions commenced hy and for prosecuting 
Mr. Boche, for irregular levying a quarter’s rent for 
ye shambles a little after his amovement from his 
office, the sum of £40 15s. 0 d. 

“Paid Mr. Hull and others their hills in and about a 
Quare Impedit brought hy the Mayor and Commonalty 
against ye Bishop of Exon and Idewgoe and for setting 
Dr. Muncton, Vicar of Charles’ Parish, £87 6s. Get. 

“Paid Mr. Elford, etc., for moving for a Mandamus 
and other charges, to procure Mr. Abraham Mangles 
sworn Churchwarden of Charles’ Church, £14 9s. 0 d. 

“Paid the hallance of their bills in prosecuting Mr. 
Boche and Mr. Webb, in the exchequer, for a dis¬ 
covery of ye town charter, writings and regalia, and 
for delivering ye same up, £9 Is. 6d. 

“Paid them for several charges and expences about 
ye affairs, £10 12s. 0 d. 



320 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


“1713.—William Hurrill. Eecd. of Mr. Samuel 
Blatchford for two old Corporation maces, £14.” 

1711.—Bobert Cowne, Mayor. “Was chosen the 
usual day, a tool and a fool. Dyed soon after, and was 
succeeded by B. Berry, who served the rest of the 
year, and having no house in town, lodged and kept 
the mayoralty at an house that was common for 
quartering strangers and selling punch and ale, to 
the great scandal of the office, but they stuck at 
nothing; seemed to regard neither the credit or 
welfare of the town, filled up the benches with men 
that were of mean and scandalous origin and be¬ 
haviour, as if they had been sworn to chose the worst, 
and did many things contrary to the constitution or 
custom of the burrough, chose a mayor that did not 
inhabit, filled the benches with lawyers, and accepted 
the resignation of Webb a Justice.” 

“Guildhall, 30th August, 1711. At the election 
of a Vicar for Charles’ Parish the candidates were as 
follows, viz.: Doctor Beynold, Mr. Walter Hugoe, 
Mr. Thomas Samford, Mr. George Derby, Mr. George 
Mitchell, this election was strongly contested, and 
after awhile Mr. Hugoe resigned, and on the 3rd, 
October 1711, the Bev. Charles Monkton, D.D., was 
elected the Vicar of Charles; his election took place 
by the votes of the Becorder, ten Aldermen and six 
Common Councilmen; it does not appear by this paper 
who the doctors were, but Mr. Boche the Mayor, 
misconducted himself on this and so many other 
occasions that he was removed from his office.” 



PEACE REJOICINGS. 


321 


1712. —"Andrew Phillips, Mayor. “An attorney, 
in whose time nothing memorable happened, but the 
Bishop of Winchester coming to town, and being 
entertained by the Corporation. This year W. Davis 
and R. Opie dyed, Joseph Webb abdicated, and the 
whigg interest advanced.” 

1713. —William Hurrell, Mayor. “A man honest; 
more sense than money, much on the whigg side; 
made no figure. August 1st.—Our gracious Queen 
Anne dyed, and King George proclaimed the Thurs¬ 
day following in this town, and the whole kingdom 
quietly submitted, not one man appearing for the 
Pretender, although the wliiggs had long reported 
he lay ready with an army and fleet. Grey School 
instituted.” “John Rose stood in the pillory the 9th 
of Aprill, 1713, being Easter Thursday; ye hangman 
stood by him all the tyme, being one hour at noon.” 
“Dr. Mountney preacht at the New Church the 
3 of May, and was inducted by the Canon Gilbert 
the 4, being Monday.” 

“The ratification of peace was exchanged between 
Great Britain and France, the 31 of March, at Utrich, 
(Utrecht) and the peace proclaimed at London, ye 5 
day of May, being Tuseday, in the yeare 1713, and 
afterwards proclaimed at Plymouth, the 14 day of ye 
same about four a clock, being the Holy Thursday, 
at which time Martin’s cundict, New Kay cundict, 
Pope’s Head cundict, and Old Town cundicts run with 
wine and 21 guns fired at ye forte, in the mayoralty 
of Mr. Andrew Phillips, with several bonfiers and 
candles in great many houses with ringing of bells.” 





HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


29? 


Memorandum. —“ The peace proclaimed between 
Great Britain and Spain the ninetli day of March, 
1713-14, at the same places that it was between 
Great Brittan and France, with the usuall solem- 
nityes, except wine riming in cundicts.” 

1714. —John G. Pike, Mayor. “Mr. Edward 
Nickleson, Lieutenant of Curn 11 - Goran’s reidgment, 
stood in our pillory att Plymnouth, the first day of 
Aprill, 1714, being Easter Thursday, from the houre 
of eleaven to ye hour of one, one houre his face 
towards the Guildhall, the other houre towards the 
cliurch-style with his accusation writen upon a piece 
of paper fastned to his hatt, which words weare:— 
“God damn the Queen,” and fined £20.” 

1715. —John Crabb, Mayor. 

\1716.—Abraham Joy, Mayor. “Wensday the 20 
of March, 1716-17, Captain Dawson killed Lieutenant 
Butler, in Brigadier Stanwix’s reidgement, by a stab 
a little above ye right pap, hee dyed imeadatly and 
the jury found it willful murder.” 

1717. —John Beer, Mayor. But dying he was 
succeeded by Bobert Hewer. Sir John Bogers, Bart., 
chosen Becorder. 

1718. —Edward Deeble, Mayor. St. Martin’s con¬ 
duit rebuilt. “ Itt begun to snow the 23 day of 
January at night, being Sunday, and continued 
almost till Tuesday morning, very great that theare 
was noe working till Friday, and a very hard frost 








CHEAT STORM. 


323 


for a long tyme besides, snow very often, and all 
things very deare, so that a halfe-peny rowle weidlit 
just a crown-piece, and two turneps sold for a peny, 
and coals sold for forty shillings a quarter, and all 
theis things notwithstanding soe deare, was very bad 
in kinde.” “A great thunder and lightning hapened 
the 3 day of March, being Thursday, about two clock 
in the afternoon, caried away that pinicle of the tower 
that the cock stands on, and brauke in the church 
very much and brake a hole in the churchyard wall, 
oposite against Bishopp’s house, which is to the east 
end and severall other strange things and yett noe 
person received damage, yett some with the surprize 
was strook down backward to ye ground.” 

1719. —William Bartlett, Mayor. “The clock and 
chimes given to Charles’ Church by Colonel Jory.” 
Bishop Blackburne came here ye 20 of July and 
confirmed some hundreds.” 

1720. — George Ridout, Mayor. “A Holoisbut 
(Halibut) brought in the markett from Carson, 
(Cawsand) was foare foot three inches long and two 
foot broad, wheare the firste fins ten inches more, 
and as clean and white a fish as could be seen, Mr. 
Bartlett, Mayor, oford 7s. 6<7., but next day was 
bought by Mr. Toulsha (Tolcher) Goolsmith for 5s. 
and was sent to London.” 



CHAPTER VII. 


ANNALS CONTINUED FROM THE YEAR 1720 TO 1800. 

1721. —John Fletcher, Mayor, who died the day 
after he was sworn in and was succeeded by John 
Elford. Hon. Wm. Chetwynd, and Hon. P. Byng, 
Members of Parliament. a March 22nd, Mr. Patt 
Byng and Mr. William Chettwin was chosen Members 
of Parliament at the Workhouse without opposition, 
Sir John Rogers declined the Munday before, upon 
which occasion was the greatest entertainment as 
ever was known in Plymouth, about 20 houses made 
provisions for meate and drink, and at the taverns, 
wine as plenty as smal beer, with ringing of bells, 
and at night was a bonfire on the Hew Hey, wheare 
was two hogsheads of strong beare givein to the 
rabble.” 

1722. —Sir John Rogers, Bart., Mayor. “ The Rev. 
John Gilbert, Vicar of Saint Andrew’s, died. He was 
sent hither by the bishop, the town having let the 
time elapse for the election of a vicar. He was 
succeeded by the Rev. Wm. Stephens.” “Mr. Cannon 
Gilbert dyed ye 19 of January, 1722, in ye 95 year 
of his age, being Vicar of Saint Andrew’s in the 42 
yeares and Canon of Exon 31 yeares of that tyme; 



MAYORALTY RIOT. 


325 


was buried in the chancell ye 25 January, and being 
Fry day about 4 clock in the afternoon, ye pulpit and 
all the pews in mourning, likewise ye dark’s seat, 
and a hearse stood over his grave, with 12 scuchings 
on itt. Fourteen ministers at ye funerall, six walkt 
before the corpse and eight bearers, hee had two 
funerall sermons preacht ye Sunday after, one by 
Mr. Hicks, his curate, the other by Mr. Boberson, 
of Buckland; the church was full.” 

1723. —Andrew Phillips, Mayor. “This year Sir. 
Joshua Beynolds was born at Plympton, near Ply¬ 
mouth.” 

1724. —John Crabb, Mayor. 

1725. —Samuel Brent, Mayor. 

1726. —Benjamin Berry, Mayor. “A great oppo¬ 
sition at this election, which lasted until 12 o’clock 
at night.” 

1727. —Edward Deeble, Mayor. Arthur Stert and 
George Treeby, Esqrs., and afterwards, in place of 
Treeby, the Hon. Bobcrt Byng, Members of Parlia¬ 
ment. “September 17th, a jury was chosen as 
usual to elect a mayor, 18 were for John Bogers 
and 18 for George Treeby. Ho mayor was then 
chosen. The dispute ran very high, the candidates 
drew their swords on each other, and bad conse¬ 
quences must have ensued from the mob, had they 
not been called off by a fire in Gasking-street. They 
met again next day, but could not agree, and the 
town was without a mayor from 17th September, to 





326 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


the 12th March following, when by virtue of a 
Mandamus from the court of the King’s bench, John 
Rogers Esq., the son of Sir John Kogers, was 
chosen and sworn.” 

u Counsellor Martin sent an express to Sir Francis 
Drake, which arrived heare to Mr. Samuel Adis on 
Saturday morning att three a clock, of the King’s 
death; the guns fired minitly and ye bell struck the 
same at the church. Sunday the bells rung at one 
a clock, and after a sermon, and the guns fired at 
the fort. Tuesday after, the proclamation came, and 
George the Second was proclaimed King by Mr. Baker, 
ToAvn Clark; he stood on a stool and read the pro¬ 
clamation first at the Guildhall, next upon the cross at 
the Shambles, then at Kew Key, and last at Martin’s- 
gate, accompanied with fife, drums, and severall plaed 
on musick, with the whole Government almost, but 
was only one publick bonfire, and that on the Kew 
Kay, where was only the rable, but no appearents of 
any gentlemen nor one spoonful of drink given them; 
ye bells rung and the fort guns fired, this was in the 
mayoralty of Doctor Benjamin Bery. The King dyed 
in the 68 yeare of his age and ye 13 yeare of his 
rayne and almost universally lamented.” 

1728. —John Rogers, Mayor. 

1729. —Samuel Allen, Mayor. Who died during 
his term of office and was succeeded by William 
or Luke Cock, mercer. 

1730. —John Tapson, Mayor. “A grocer. An 
opposition; he was chosen Alderman by the Free- 





FUNERAL OF STEPHENS. 


327 


men.” 10 busliells of wheat purchased for the Work- 
house, cost <£3 75. M. 

1731. —John Whaddon, Mayor. The Eev. Wm. 
Stephens, Yicar of Saint Andrew’s, died 16th March, 
and was succeeded by the Eev. Zachary Mudge. 

1732. —Eobert Hewer, Mayor. “ Parson Stevins, 
(Eev. Mr. Stephens) dyed March 16tli, 1731-2, in 
the morning about elcaven clock, as is supposed in 
the gout in his stomach after about 10 days illness, 
the last sermon he preacht was of a Sunday, in the 
Hew Church, upon a subject of charity; he preacht 
the Wensday before in the Okie Church, being the 
1st of March, upon the 11 chapter of ye Acts, the 
two last verses, upon charity, he was rector 9 yeares 
and in his 40 year of age. Parson Stevins had a 
funerall sermon preacht the 19 of March, being 
Sunday, by Parson Poster, upon the 3 chapter of 
the 2 Epistle of Tymothy and the 15 verse; he 
gave a very lardge inconium and nothing more than 
he deserved, hee being allowed as learned and fine 
a preacher as any of his age, and I never knew a 
man soo much lamented in all the course of my life. 
Many hundred people wept att his funerall sermon, 
and lamented by all that knew him. lie was buried 
abute 8 or 9 clock Saturday morning in the chancell, 
his uper bearers was six ministers and two walkt 
before the corps, the under bearrers had hatbands 
and gloves. Ilee left his widdow with five small 
children and she with child with another.” 

“April 12th.—Stephen Woon and Benjamin Cruse 
was executed at Heavy tree gallows, nigh Exon, for 




328 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


the murder of Mr. John Pyke, Tyde Surveyor, about 
riming of brandy and was hanged in chains, the 14th 
January at Crabtree.” 

“April 15th.—The fifth bell in the Olde Church 
tower was new castt in the Workhouse, the weight 
of which is twenty-foure hundred grose and eighteen 
pounds, which is four pounds less then the old one, 
in the mearolty of Mr. John Waddon, Land Surveyor 
and Thomas Cock and Mr. Hering, Churchwardens. 
Cast by Mr. Penitent and his father.” 

“August 23rd.—This day came on the election 
for a Vicar for Saint Andrew’s Church, wheare one 
Doctor Burnett and Mr. Zachariah Mudge was put 
up as candadates, and Mr. Wadon, Mayor, after all 
the Government had struck, said there was fourteen 
struck for Doctor Burnett and fifteen for Mr. Zacariah 
Mudge, but then Mr. Mayor said that all the Govern¬ 
ment was not theare and talks of adjourning to the 
houses of two, which weare then sick in theare beds 
and one of them almost dying, but the opposite party 
said there was never any such custom, but only those 
that did meet to the Guildhall, which caused a great 
dispute and the Black Book was sent for, and thare 
it appeared very plain it was to be decided by them 
only which appeared at the Guildhall and had most 
strokes of the electors thare, and then Mr. Mayor 
declared Mr. Zachariah Mudge, Vicar of Saint Andrew’s 
Parish. A man admired by most of the town, but 
only a sett of men used all the arts and base tricks 
to set him aside; theare were severall other candadates 
sett up, but those trickers got them all to give up 
theare pretensions purely to put aside the said Mr. 




INDUCTION OF DR. MUDGE. 


329 


Mudge, tliougli a very deserving man both in lern- 
ing and moralls. For Mr. Mndge was 7 Aldermen 
and 8 Common Counsell. For the Doctor 4 Aldermen 
and 9 others. The said Mr. Mudge was inducted the 
15 day of September, being Friday, just after the 
morning prayers, which was after this maner. Mr. 
Bowden, ye Yicar of Charles’ Parish and Mr. Foster 
Elector (Lecturer) of Saint Andrew’s and Mr. Cocke 
and Mr. Hering the two Churchwardens with a few 
others with Mr. Mudge stood at the cliancell doore, 
every body being com out of church, they lockt the 
doore and then they unlockt itt and let ye said Mr. 
Mudge walk in, then lock the doore upon him, then 
he goes and made sum short prayer as is suposd to 
himself, itt being usuall att such tyme, then he went 
in the tower and struck several strokes on one of 
the bells and came out to the aforesaid gentlemen 
and ask them to walk into his church, when they 
walked in and signed the instrument hee brought 
from the bishop’s court and the all that weare tlieare 
wisht him long life and happiness, then he invited 
them to drink a glass of wine to Morgan’s after 
evening prayers, haveing noe place of his own— 
mark, none signed it but they who let him in.” 

1733. —John Hellyer, Mayor. “A limner.” “May 
29th, the passage-boat at Saltash cast away, and 20 
lives lost, nine of whom were of Plymouth.” 

1734. —Thomas Phillips, Mayor. “A mercer.” 

1735. —William Strong, Mayor. This gentleman 
dying during his mayoralty, was succeeded by Bobert 
Herrer. 





330 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


1736. —John Veale, Mayor. “An apothecary.” 
“Elm trees planted round about the town, at Old 
Mills, Pennycomequick-hill, Erankfort-gate, etc. The 
old mayoralty house burnt on an assembly night.” 

1737. —Greenhill Barracott, Mayor. Arthur Stert 
and lion. Robert Byng, and afterwards Charles 
Vanbrugh, Members of Parliament. “A picture of 
His Majesty set up in the Guildhall. An organ built 
in Saint Andrew’s Church by James Parsons, and 
opened on Tuesday, 22nd November. The singing 
men of Saint Peter’s Church, Exeter, attended on 
the occasion, and the vicar preached. The cupola 
rebuilt on the Guildhall. Chains on the New Quay 
fixed, the gift of Captain Hutour.” 

1738. —Henry Tolcher, Mayor. “Eeast now dis¬ 
continued. A great dispute arose in the election of 
members, which was adjourned from Guildhall to 
the Workhouse, where it lasted three or four days. 
J. Rogers and C. Vanbrugh, Esqrs., candidates. By 
the vast number of faggots, which came from the 
utmost parts of Cornwall, it was decided in favor 
of John Rogers, Esq., who took his seat, but the 
opposite party being dissatisfied, took a journey to 
London, where Freeholders’ votes for members were 
declared invalid, by the House of Commons, where¬ 
upon Charles Vanbrugh, Esq. was declared, and sat 
member.” 

1730.—Edward Heebie, Mayor. Severe frosts this 
and the succeeding year. 





AN EXTRAORDINARY TIDE. 


001 

ooi 

1740. —John Whaddon, Mayor. Lord II. Beauclerc, 
Member of Parliament in room of Charles Vanbrugh, 
Esq. “The Spanish flag presented to the borough 
by Lord Vere.” 

1741. —Bichard Gortley, (blind) Mayor. “Bichard 
Gortley was a surgeon, who died, and was succeeded 
by Sir John Bogers, Bart., Becorder.” Arthur Stert 
Esq. and Lord Vere Beauclerc, Members of Parlia¬ 
ment. 

1742. —Launcelot Bobinson, Mayor. “A merchant. 
This mayor revived two yearly fairs, and moved the 
watch-house from the Guildhall to fish cage. About 
this time, a new altar piece by Mrs. Ilbert, and 
velvet cloth and cushions for the communion table, 
were given to Saint Andrew’s Church by Mrs. 
Phillips.” 

1743. —Sir John Bogers, Mayor. 

1744. —Edward Hoblyn, Mayor. “A very high 
tide on Freedom day Eve. The gentlemen carried 
out of the mayoralty house on mens’ shoulders, 
boats and casks floated about the streets, fish-house 
beat down, quays shattered, and merchandize lost. 
The damage to the town alone computed at £3,000. 
In November, the King’s bakehouse at Coxside 
consumed by fire, with many stores. December 
31st, a soldier shot in the Citadel for desertion.” 

1745. —William (or Edward) Martyn, M.D., Mayor. 
“The town’s water conveyed through leaden pipes 





332 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


from Old Town conduit to tlie Victualling Office. 
The bakehouse was rebuilt and enlarged. A new 
slaughter-house built close to the Garrison, and near 
the Barbican. The outworks of the Citadel repaired 
as well as the lower fort. The French prison at Old 
Mills burnt. ” 

1746. —William Davis Phillips, Mayor. “ The 
gutter which brought the town water into Old Town 
conduit, laid with moor stone.” James Northcote, the 
painter, born at Plymouth. 

1747. —Michael Nichols, Mayor. “A merchant. 
Pulpit cloths and cushions given to Saint Andrew’s 
Church by Miss Penelope Archer. October 14th, a 
soldier shot in the Citadel for desertion. A cartel 
ship burnt at Catwater. A general election, Yere 
and Stert, Members.” Arthur Stert Esq. and Lord 
Yere Beauclerc, Members of Parliament. “July, 
Thomas Smith, Esq. called by the seamen Tom of 
Ten Thousand , when a lieutenant, was broke, on a 
complaint of the French ambassador, for obliging a 
French ship-of-war to lower her topsail to his ship, 
in Plymouth Sound; but by the King’s order, was 
the next day made a Post Captain; he died in 1762.” 

1748. —John Ellery, Mayor. ‘ i An apothecary. 
Peace with France and Spain proclaimed at Plymouth, 
with great formality. The six bells of Saint Andrew’s, 
recast with additional metal into eight. Motto on 
the tenor bell.—“ Ego Sum Vox clamant is par ate .” 
Weight 4,4931b. The tenor bell of Charles’ Church 




SIR JOHN LIGONIER. 


recast at the same time. The foundry was at the 
hack of the Workhouse.” July 1st, Bishop Lavington^s 
first visitation. 

1749. —John Facey, Mayor. “ The town’s water 
carried to the Barbican for the purpose of watering 
the shipping.” 

1750. —James Richardson, Mayor. Capt. Saunders, 
Member of Parliament in room of Lord Yere Beau- 
clerc. “This year Charles Saunders, R.N. elected 
M.P. He was recommended both by Lords Yere and 
Sandwich, and though neither a man of figure nor 
character, was readily accepted by the vile scoundrel 
Aldermen in places, and their lacquays the Common 
Council, — one half of both benches within a few 
years having made themselves slaves and dependants 
on the board of Admiralty by getting into places.” 

“Weights and measures reviewed throughout the 
town. Baptist meeting-house rebuilt and enlarged. 
Lord Anson made Lord High Steward of the borough 
in room of the late Prince of Wales. Sir J. Ligonier, 
Governor of Plymouth arrived August 29th, 1751.” 

1751. —Robert Triggs, Mayor. A merchant. “The 
last eleven days of this mayoralty were superseded 
by the new style, when the 6th and 18th, were 
called the 17th and 29th September.” “Hr. Bidlake 
born at Plymouth.” 

1752. —John Drake, Mayor; who died during the 
term of his office and was succeeded by Michael 
Nichols. “J. Drake chosen on a Sunday, owing to 






334 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


the new style, and appointed collector of customs. 
The horse pond below Frankfort-gate tilled up, and 
two rows of trees planted on it. Fails, with gates and 
turnstiles erected on the Hoe down to the water-side, 
and from Denham’s stairs over to Front’s house, 
towards the Victualling Offices. Butchers lane newly 
paved, and a gutter made to carry the water under¬ 
ground. Feasts at quarter sessions revived as formerly. 
The guard-house removed from fish cage to the back 
of Guildhall; in 1742 it was under the hall. The 
steps in Saint Andrew’s Church, leading to the 
gallery, taken away. Mr. Drake died on Monday, 
3rd September, 1753, and on Saturday following, 
Mr. Nichols was chosen to succeed him. Mr. Tolcher 
swore himself justice, at the same time having been 
refused by the Corporation as a non-inhabitant.” 

1753. — John Morshead, Mayor. “A merchant. 
In October, a prodigious quantity of mackrel taken 
at the very quay. Much counterfeit coin in circula¬ 
tion. The large mace taken from the mayor’s house 
by the sheriff’s officers for a neglect of citation to 
appear to a suit between the Corporation and Mr. 
T. Veal, about the limits of Sutton Pool. It was 
returned soon after. A velvet cushion in Guildhall 
for the use of the mayor presented by Mr. Bewes’ 
brother. Two rows of trees planted by the Xing’s 
engineer from the top of Little Hoe-lane to the end 
of the walk on the Hoe, and a single row from 
the same place to Denham’s stairs.* The water-house 
at the Higher Mills rebuilt with stone, previously 


* The steps at the head of the lane at the east entrance of Trinity Church. 



EDDYSTONE LIGHTHOUSE DESTROYED. 


it was of wood. The New Quay paved and railed 
in, chiefly at the expence of the mayor. The roof 
on the Old Church tower new slated, and the battle¬ 
ments on the east and west sides opened.” 

1754. —Jacob Austin, Mayor. “A brewer. A 
petition for a turnpike road sent to the House of 
Commons by the town’s members.” Yisct. Barrington 
and Samuel Dicker, Esq., Members of Parliament. 
u Sunday, December 16th, a dreadful thunderstorm, 
and on the 20th, news arrived that Mr. Yeal has 
cast the town in the affair of Sutton Pool.” At 
this time Plymouth had 54 ships that paid towards 
the Merchant Seamen’s Hospital. 

1755. —Thomas Bewes, Mayor. “Dec. 22nd, the 
Eddy stone Lighthouse after sustaining the repeated 
attacks of the sea 46 years, was destroyed by fire, 
the attendants having a narrow escape of their lives, 
being rescued from the two contending elements by 
some Cawsand fishermen. One of the keepers named 
Henry Hall, aged 94, while looking upwards at the 
flames, received a quantity of liquid metal into his 
stomach. This fact was corroborated after his decease, 
which occurred 12 days after, when on his body being 
opened, a solid piece of lead, weighing 7oz. 5dr. was 
found in his stomach. The large mace given by Col. 
Joseph Jory; one of the other maces, was to be carried 
before the mayoress. Entrenchment at Dock begun.” 

1756. —John Forrest, Mayor. Plymouth Dock (now 
Devonport) began to be fortified and barracks began to 
be built. 





HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


OOfi 

oob 

1757. —Anthony Porter, Mayor. June 1st, the 
foundation stone of the present Ecldystone Lighthouse 
laid. 

1758. —John Lacey, Mayor. “May 18th, a young 
grenadier aged about 27, was shot at Plymouth for 
desertion; what is remarkable, being to receive 500 
lashes by the sentence of a regimental court martial, 
he chose to appeal to a general court martial, who 
instead of confirming his former sentence, inflicted 
that of death. The young man suffered with great 
fortitude, having done nothing, he said, to offend 
his Saviour.” 

“September 14tli, H.M. ships Kingston and Burford 
arrived at Plymouth from Louisbourg with the trans¬ 
ports, having the Garrison of Louisbourg on board, 
under their convoy. His Majesty presented <£500 to 
Captains Amherst and Edgcombe, who jointly brought 
the news of the taking of this important fortress; 
and ordered a sum to each of these gentlemen to 
purchase a sword and ring.” 

1759. —James Bichardson, Mayor. “The present 
Eddystone Lighthouse finished. Mr. Smeaton has 
been very happy in his idea of its construction, nothing 
but an earthquake, it is conceived, will shake its 
stability. On the granite round the upper store-room, 
is this inscription—“Except the Lord build the house, 
their labour is but vain that build it, Psalm cxxvii;” 
and over the east side of the lanthorn, “ 24th, August, 
1759, Lans Deo .” It is stated to have been completed 
in 111 days, 10 hours. It is a round stone building, 




EDDYSTONE LIGHTHOUSE. 


gradually decreasing in circumference from the base 
to a certain height, like the trunk of an oak, from 
which Mr. Smeaton, its ingenious contriver (a self- 
educated architect), states that he took the idea. 

“October 9th, the store vessel came into Plymouth 
from her moorings at the Eddystone, with all the 
workmen on board, the lighthouse then being entirely 
completed, under the direction of that excellent me¬ 
chanic, Mr. Smeaton, E.E.S., without the loss of one 
life, or any material accident .”—Annual Register, 1759. 

July 28th, H.B.IJ. the Duke of York, sailed 
from Plvmouth on board the Hero man-of-war, 
with Lord Edgcumbe, to join the fleet off Brest, 
he returned to Plymouth, October 13th, and left 
for London. 

“October 13tli, H.B.IL. Prince Edward Augustus, 
Duke of York, went on shore from the fleet then 
lying in Plymouth Sound in the evening, in good 
health, and set out for Saltram, the seat of John 
Parker, Esq.” 

The following highly interesting “play bill” of a 
concert with the tragedy of Jane Shore between the 
parts; interspersed with songs, minuets, hornpipes, 
and comic dances, and ending with a farce, will show 
the state of public amusements in Plymouth in the 
middle of the last century. It contrasts very strongly 
and amusingly with the entertainments at the present 
day, as announced in the “play bills” of the now 
“ Theatre Koyal,” and the explanatory note at its 
close is particularly curious. The entertainment took 
place at the Theatre in Erankfort-gate. 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 



At the Hew THE AT EE, Eranckfort-Gate 

This present Thursday, being the 15th February 1759, " 

Will be a Concert of MUSICS, 

Divided into several PARTS. 

Boxes 2s. Pit Is. 6d. Gallery only 6d. 

TICKETS to be had at Mr. Thompson’s at the Fountain Tavern in Pike Street; at Mr. 
Perkin’s at the Hawk Tavern near Foxhole Key; at the Printing-Office in Southside 
Street; and at Mr. Pittard’s Lodging’s at Mr. Jones’s, next Door to the Star-Tavern 
in Southside Street. 

The Curtain to he drawn up precisely at 6 o’Clock. 


Between the Parts of the CONCERT will be presented (GratisJ a Tragedy call’d 

JANE SHOEE. 

Containing, the Tyranny and Usurpation of the Duke of Gloster, then Lord Protector 
of the Realm. The Fate of Lord Hastings, the Lord Chamberlain of the Household, 
by the mistaken Jealousy of the Lady Alicia, whose fatal wiles brought on his death, 
and her own Destruction. The Distresses and lamentable End of the Unfortunate 
Fair One Jane Shore, (Concubine to King Edward the Fourth) who perish’d in a Ditch 
for want of Food: it being proclaim’d by Order of the cruel Duke, that whoever gave 
her Comfort, Food, or Harbour, should die. With many other Historical beautiful 
Passages. 

To Night if you have brought your good old Taste, 

We’ll treat you with a downright English Feast; 

A Tale which long since told in homely Wise, 

Hath never fail’d of melting gentle Eyes. 


Duke of Gloster 

Lord Hastings 

Ratcliff 

Catesby 

Bellmour 

Dumont 

Alicia 

Jane Shore 


\ 


by 


by 


Mr. Powell 
Mr. Pittard 
Mr. Foster 
Mr. Prigmore 
Mr. Drummond 
Mr. Wood 
Mrs. Powell 
Mrs. Wood 


With an Occasional PROLOGUE to be spoke by Mr. PITTARD. 

End of Act I. A Comic Dance, by Sig. TEREZA CALVI, and Sig BALBI, in 
the Characters of Harlequin and an Italian Peasant. 

End of Act II. A SONG, by Mrs. WOOD. 

End of Act III. A Minuet by Sig. MARIA SCOTTI, and Sig. GEROLAMO 

PORLAVICINI. 

End of the Play, A SONG, by Mrs. WOOD. 

To ivhich will he added a FARCE call’d. 


MISS 

Captain Loveit 

Fribble 

Captain Flash 

Puff 

Jasper 

Miss Biddy 

Tagg 


Her TEENS. 


by 


by 


Mr. Powell 
Mr. Drummond 
Mr. Wood 
Mr. Pittard 
Mr. Foster 
Mrs. Wood 
Mrs. Powell 


With an EPILOGUE on Every Body, to be spoke in the Character of No-body, by Mr. 

FOSTER. 

End of the FARCE, a HORNPIPE. 









339 


LOSS OF THE “RAMILIES.” 


itJT Wurds cannot express our Acknowledgements from the Favours we have receiv’d 
from those Ladies, Gentlemen, and Others of this Town, Stonehouse and Dock, in 
favouring us with their Company on Thursday last at the New Play-house at Franck- 
fort-Gate; and it would have been a Pleasure to us had our Performance been more 
to the Audience Satisfaction; but we are very sensible, that the major Part of the 
Company came on purpose to help the Distress’d. And in Order to make amends for 
all past favours, I have been over to Launceston, to engage some of the best Performers 
belonging to the Company there; and I’m quite confident every Thing attempted next 
Thursday Night, will be entirely to the Audience Satisfaction, both in Playing, Dancing, 
and Singing; if not, I don’t desire to have any more Favours from my Friends. I 
shall be at a great Expence (and am determined to spare none) in order to bring the 
Performers here, and I don’t in the least fear, but I shall still meet with Encourage¬ 
ment from the Generous and Humane, which will always be gratefully acknowledg’d 
from their Ever Oblig’d Humble Servants, Joseph and Maria Pittard. 

No Persons whatsoever will be admitted behind the Scenes. 

1760.—Bobert Phillips, Mayor. Admiral Pocock, 
Member of Parliament in room of Samuel Dicker, 
Esq. “The Ramilies lost off the Bolt.” “The Con¬ 
queror, a new 74, going out from Plymouth harbour 
w r as lost on the Island of Saint Nicholas; the crew 
and guns saved. The master and pilot were tried 
at a court martial, the former acquitted, but the 
pilot sentenced to be imprisoned for 18 months.”— 
Annual Register , 1760. “February 15th, Admiral 
Boscawen returned to Plymouth with the fleet, 
much shattered in rigging, but the Ramilies , late 
Admiral Byng’s flag ship, was lost, and all hands 
drowned except one midshipman and 25 sailors. 
When the gale came on, she made for Plymouth, 
but, the weather being hazy, she overshot the 
entrance into the Sound, and got embayed near the 
Bolt-head about 4 leagues from thence. She came to 
anchor, but her cables were not sufficient to hold her, 
and she drove upon the rocks called the Bolt-head, 
went to pieces and upwards of 700 souls perished.” 

“January 3rd, the body of a travelling jew, known 
by the name of Little Isaac was found murdered in 
a wood near Plymstock, since which Edward Jackson 



340 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


a militiaman, confessed that he met with this jew 
near to Plymstock, and after drinking a pint of beer 
together, they both went out, and after walking about 
two miles, the deceased stopt to rest himself, and 
putting a long stick he had in his hand behind his 
back to rest himself and his box on, Jackson took 
the stick from behind him and knocked him down, 
and when he was on the ground, gave him two more 
blows, which finished him. Then taking his watch 
out of his pocket, and some goods out of his box, 
he hid the box in the wood. When he offered some 
of the things for sale being asked how he came by 
them, he said he found them in a box, and would 
show it to Mr. Sherenbeare, which he accordingly 
did, taking him into the wood where he had left it, 
and presently after, said his conscience troubled him 
and he confessed the murder.” 

“January 21st, Admiral Hawke, arrived at Ply¬ 
mouth the 17th, waited on His Majesty, by whom 
he was received with particular marks of favour; His 
Majesty meeting him as he entered, and thanking 
him for the services he had done his country. His 
Majesty settled a pension of £2,000 a year on him 
for life, and the life of his two sons and the survivor 
of them.” 

“July, the sea flowed at Plymouth about 18 inches 
in two minutes, and immediately ebbed with the 
same rapidity, this extraordinary flux and reflux 
continued the whole day.” 


1761.—Michael Nicolls, Mayor, Viscount Bar¬ 
rington and Admiral Pocock, Members 'of Parliament. 



DESTRUCTION OF THE BARBICAN. 


341 


“July 31st, Plymouth. By an annual custom, the 
Bight Worshipful the Mayor, many of the Corporation 
and several others rode out this day to the Head 
Weare, from whence this town is supplied with water, 
brought by a current of almost 20 miles, by the ever 
memorable Sir Francis Drake, who in the year 1581, 
was an inhabitant here, and mayor of the town, and as 
tradition has it, in the year 1590, when the water ran 
before his own door, dipped his scarlet gown therein 
for joy that he had obtained his desired end.”— 
Annual Register , 1761. 

“A young woman dressed in man’s clothes was 
impressed at Plymouth, and sent to Captain Toby in 
this town (Leeds, October 20th). On her arrival she 
was committed to prison, but not liking confinement 
she disclosed her sex, and was discharged. She 
gives the following account of herself; that her name 
is Hannah Whitney, that she was born in Ireland, 
had been a marine on board different ships for 
upwards of five years, and would not have disclosed 
herself if she had been allowed her liberty.”— 
Annual Register , 1761. 

1762.—John Morshead, Mayor. “The Barbican 
washed down, and two Messrs. Collier drowned. 
Colours of Moro Castle taken from the enemy, pre¬ 
sented to the borough by Sir George Pocock. The 
Boyal Naval Hospital opened.” “October 30th, the 
fleet under Sir Charles Hardy and the Duke of York, 
arrived at Plymouth from the Bay, and on November 
14th, sailed westward.” “August 19th, a tremendous 
storm, the darkness exceeded that of the great eclipse 



342 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


in 1748, much resembling that which preceded the 
great earthquake at Lisbon. The hailstones measured 
from two to ten inches in circumference, killing fowl 
and even sheep, hut the most surprising phenomenon 
was, the sudden flux and reflux in Plymouth Pool, 
exactly corresponding with the like agitation at the 
same place, at the time of the great earthquake at 
Lisbon.”— Annual Register , 1763. 

“ Sept. 23rd, H.R.H. the Duke of York embarked 
at Plymouth for Lisbon, on board the Centurian man- 
of-war.” “July 9th, The Eoyal Naval Hospital at 
Stonehouse opened.” “October 30th, H.E.H. Prince 
Edward Augustus, Duke of York, Vice-Admiral of 
the blue, in command of H.M. Ship Princess Amelia , 
was on the 30th October, elected High Steward of 
the Corporation of Plymouth.” 

1763. —Jacob Austin, Mayor. “The conduit at 
Martyn’s-gate demolished.” Friary-gate taken down. 

1764. —Thomas Lewes, Mayor. “The bridge at 
Stonehouse was begun to be built July 17th, 1764.” 
“The Dolphin and Tamar under Byron, sailed from 
Plymouth to circumnavigate the Globe.” The Duke of 
Gloucester and the Duke of York visited Plymouth. 

“June 9th.—The galleon Santissima Trinidada , from 
the East Indies, arrived in Plymouth Sound. She is 
the largest and richest ship ever brought into the ports 
of England. She was loaded at Madras with a vast 
collection of foreign curiosities made by Governor 
Pigot, particularly wild beasts, most of which died 
on the passage, it being so very long, and the ship so 






DESTRUCTIVE EIRE. 


343 


very laboursome. One of those which has survived is 
a serpent, which is it is said 14 feet long, eats only 
once a month, and then changes its skin, and as 
some say, is quite harmless.” “October. — Great 
disturbances at Plymouth and in many other parts of 
England, in consequence of the high prices of pro¬ 
visions. Petitions presented to Lord Halifax; a council 
was immediately called, and after examination of 
evidence his Majesty ordered his royal proclamation 
for the free importation of salted beef, pork and 
butter from Ireland, and a reward of <£100 for dis¬ 
covering any unlawful combinations in the sale of 
provisions of any kind.” 

1765. —John Hicolls, Mayor. “A fire which hap¬ 
pened lately at Plymouth was very near destroying 
the whole town and the Citadel, as the flames devoured 
all before it, till it came to within a thin partition only 
of 123 barrels of gunpowder, which had been landed 
from the eastward, and was reserved there till a French 
vessel bound to Guinea should call for it.” “A 
soldier at Plymouth, servant to an officer of marines, 
being lately detected of theft, hanged himself, having 
first wrote to his master that his propensity for 
thieving was such that he could not restrain it, and 
therefore chose that method of putting a period to his 
life, rather than the more public one of dying on the 
gallows.” 

1766. —William Davis Phillips, Mayor. “The 
Princess Amelia landed here at Mount Edgcumbe. 
Streets and gutters begun to be paved; lamps set 




344 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


up; bathing-house finished and opened, May 12th, 
and the wooden spire of the New Church taken down; 
and the 20th of October, the ball and vane put up, 
the spire being finished.” Captain Wallis in the 
Dolphin with two other ships sailed from Plymouth 
for a voyage round the World. 

u Mr. Wildman , of Plymouth , who has made himself 
famous through the West of England for his command 
over bees, being come to London, gave notice to Dr. 
Templeman, Secretary to the Society for the Encourage¬ 
ment of Arts, &c., that he would pay him a visit in 
his bee dress. Several gentlemen and ladies were 
assembled at the doctor’s. About five o’clock Mr. 
Wildman came, brought through the city in a chair, 
his head and face almost covered with bees, and a most 
venerable beard of them hanging down from his chin. 
The gentlemen and ladies were soon convinced that 
they need not be afraid of the bees, and therefore went 
up familiarly to Mr. Wildman and conversed with him. 
After having staid for a considerable time, he gave 
orders to the bees to retire to their hive that was 
brought for them, which they immediately obeyed 
with the greatest precipitation.” “ October 8th.—Mr. 
Wildman, whom we have before taken notice of, being 
sent for to wait on Lord Spencer, at his seat at 
Wimbledon, in Surrey, he attended accordingly, and 
several of the nobility and persons of fashion were 
assembled; the countess had provided three stocks of 
bees. The first of his performances was with one hive 
of bees hanging on his hat, which he carried in his 
hand, and the hive which they came out of in the 



345 


THE u BEE MASTER.’' 

other hand, which was to convince the earl and 
countess that he could take honey and wax without 
destroying the bees. Then he returned into the room, 
and came out again with them hanging on his chin 
with a very venerable beard. After shewing them to 
the company, he took them out upon the grass walk 
facing his lordship’s window, where a table and cloth 
were immediately brought out, and he set the hive 
upon the table and made the bees hive therein; then 
he made the bees come out again and swarm in the 
air, the ladies and gentlemen standing amongst them, 
and no person stung by them. He made them go 
on the table, and took them up by handfuls, and 
tossed them up and down like so many peas, and 
made them go into their hive at the word of command. 
Hear five o’clock in the afternoon he exhibited again 
with the three swarms of bees, one on his head, one 
on his breast and the other on his arm, and then went 
in to his lordship, who was too much indisposed to see 
the former experiments; the hives which the bees were 
taken from were carried by one of the servants. He 
came into the room again, and came out with them all 
over his head, face and eyes, and was led blind before 
his lordship’s window. He then begged of his lordship 
that he would lend him one of his horses, which was 
granted, and was brought out in his body cloaths. He 
then mounted the horse, with the bees all over his 
head and face (except his eyes), and breast and left 
arm, with a whip in his right hand, and the groom 
then led the horse backwards and forwards by his 
lordship’s window for some time. He then took the 
reins in his hand and rode round the house. He then 


346 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


dismounted and made the bees march upon the table, 
and commanded them to retire to their hive,, which 
they accordingly did, and gave great satisfaction to 
the earl, the countess and all the spectators.”— 
Annual Register, 1766. 

“ December 16th.—The Society of Arts voted £100 
to the famous Mr. Wildman for his discoveries relative 
to bees.” 

1767. —Bichard Beach, Mayor. “ October 30th, 
the first stone of the new bridge at Stonehouse was 
laid.” The Princess Amelia visited Plymouth. 

1768. —Henry Tolcher, Mayor. Viscount Bar¬ 
rington and Francis Holburne, Esq., Members of 
Parliament. Captain Cook, in the Endeavour , sailed 
from Plymouth; August 26th, for a voyage round 
the World. 

“ February.—His Majesty’s ship Fame , of 74 guns, 
which was driven on the rocks in Plvmouth Sound and 
bilged, was weighed and buoyed off at high water 
by considerable quantities of casks, supplied from the 
Victualling Office there, and some small vessels being 
lashed to her. She is now in the Dock to undergo a 
repair, and which will make her as good a ship as at 
first. Had she remained on the rocks till the late 
stormy weather, it is said she must unavoidably have 
been beaten to pieces. We hear that a master, mate, 
and seven seamen remained on board the Fame during 
all the time of her distress, a good part of which time 
her hold and lower gun deck were full of water, and 
that for their good behaviour they will be rewarded 



DUEL AT PLYMOUTH. 


347 


with promotion.” “ October 26th.—This morning, 
about two o’clock, the Plymouth and Exeter stage¬ 
coach, which inns at the Bell Inn in Friday-street, 
London, was stopped in Belfond-lane, near Hounslow, 
by a highwayman, well mounted on a hay horse with 
a switch tail, who demanded the money of the pas¬ 
sengers, when the guard shot him dead with a carbine 
on the spot. He appears to he about 30 years of age, 
short in stature, hut stout and well set, with a drab 
surtout coat on. He was carried to the Bell in the 
said lane, where he lies in order to he owned.” 

1769. —Samuel Peters, Mayor. “Stonehouse Bridge 
Gate opened March 5th.” The Duke of Cumberland 
visited the town. “ August 3rd, a duel was fought 
near Plymouth, by a captain and lieutenant of the 
marines, in which the latter was unfortunately killed. 
The duellists were inseparable companions, had been 
together all the day preceding and were very much 
in liquor. About three in the morning they came arm 
in arm to the barracks, when the deceased dropped 
down dead. The survivor who is committed to gaol 
is inconsolable for the loss of his friend, and protests 
he knows not how the affair happened.” The Kent , 
guardship, blew up in Cawsand Bay. 

“April 23rd, Eev. Mr. Zacliariah Mudge, Vicar 
of Saint Andrew’s, Plymouth, and Prebendary of 
Exeter, universally known by his writings, died, 
much lamented.” 

1770. — John Tolcher, Mayor. A considerable 
movement having been set on foot in the town for 




348 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


the paving, lighting and watching of Plymouth, an 
Act of Parliament was obtained and a Board of Com¬ 
missioners appointed for the purpose of carrying out 
its provisions. The regulations laid down by the 
various committees are highly curious, and show 
how truly destitute the town must have been even of 
the most necessary conveniences for cleanliness and 
decency—the streets and pavements being the regular 
and recognised receptacles for all manner of filth and 
refuse. The regulations as to lighting were fixed as 
follows :— u That two hundred and fifty lamps be pro¬ 
vided, which they apprehend may be procured upon 
the lowest and best terms at London or Bristol, and 
that a public notice be given to contract for mounting 
two hundred of them, agreeable to a pattern that shall 
be fixed on by a general meeting of the Commissioners. 
That the iron work whereto such lamps are to be fixed 
be of the following sizes, viz., that the main barr be 
three-quarters of an inch square, with an eye suitable, 
and the stays of half an inch square, and the pro¬ 
jection of each into the street to be regulated by the 
width of the street and the nature of the building 
whereto such lamps are to be fixed, and that at the 
time of their being put up, committees be chosen to 
see the business properly executed. That it appears 
to us a contract for such iron work, fixing up, main¬ 
taining and painting, will be the best method of doing 
it, and that public notice be given for contracting 
accordingly, which, from calculations made by us, 
we think may be effected for £110, supposing no 
lamps are given by the present owners, in which sum 
we mean the cost of 200 lamps, the mounting, iron 




LIGHTING AND WATCHING. 


349 


work and painting. We also recommend that the 
size and quality of the wick, as well as the nature 
of the oyle, be such as is generally made use of in 
London, and that a contract be made for this purpose, 
such contractor undertaking to provide for the safe 
keeping of such lamps in the summer months, and to 
be answerable for all accidents happening by breakage, 
and that there be at least two principal contractors, 
who are to provide a sufficient number of hands for 
the more expeditions lighting such lamps every even¬ 
ing.—Geo. Leach, Geo. Winnc, James Fox, Joseph 
Squire.” 

The following were the proposed regulations as to 
watching: — “That from Lady-day to Michaelmas 
there should be eight men at 8c/. each per night; one 
corporal at 12 d. per do. That from Michaelmas to 
Lady-day there should be eleven men at 9 d. each per 
night; one corporal at 12c/. per do. From Lady-day 
to Michaelmas the watch to sett from ten to four; 
from Michaelmas to Lady-day, to sett from ten to six. 
The watch to be stationed as follows:—One at the 
mayor’s door, and one under the Guildhall; to be 
relieved every hour. The remainder to be alternately 
patrolling the town; not less than three out at a 
time. To be armed with halberts as usual. Each 
patrol to have a bell to ring at proper distances and 
call the hour and weather. We are of opinion there 
should not be less than four setts of watchmen and 
two corporals to watch in turn, the latter to have 
charge of the watch-house, coals and candles. The 
charge attending the above calculations is as follows: 




350 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


£ s. d. 

From Lady-day to Michaelmas the watch... 59 17 0 

,, Michaelmas to Lady-day do. ... 81 8 0 

Lor the use of the Guard-house— 


16 0 
3 8 3 

5 4 0 


2 quarters coals 
12 pounds of candles 


W ard 


£151 3 3 


“We are further of opinion there should he six men 
to ward every Sunday, and have fourpence each. 

“Joseph Collier, John Bayly, Jacob Shaw, Austin 
Forrest, Peter Symons.” 

1771. —Diggory Tonkin, Mayor. Admiral Sir C. 
Hurd elected Member of Parliament. Saint Aubyn’s 
Chapel at Devonport built. “January 15th.—A grand 
new dock was opened at Plymouth, and this day re¬ 
ceived the Northumberland man-of-war.” “ January 
26th.—A man and three horses were found dead in 
the snow on Black Down, near Tavistock.” 

1772. —Joseph Brent, Mayor. Captain Cook, com¬ 
manding the Resolution and Adventure , sailed from 
Plymouth on the 13th July, for his second voyage 
round the World. 

1773. —Bobert Fanshawe, Mayor. Dr. Woollcombe, 
author of some important works, and a valuable contri¬ 
butor to “ Bisdon’s Survey” and “Prince’s Worthies,” 
born in Plymouth. 

1774. —Francis Bogers, Mayor. Viscount Barring¬ 
ton and Admiral Sir C. Hurd, Members of Parliament. 

This year a disastrous and fatal attempt at diving, 









ME. DAY’S DIVING MACHINE. 351 

in a diving machine of his own invention, was made 
by a Mr. Day in Plymouth Sound. Mr. Day was a 
millwright in Suffolk, and having invented a diving 
machine and experimented with it in shallow waters, 
prevailed on Mr. Christopher Blake, a man of fortune 
in his own county, to stake a large sum of money on 
his project, and to find the necessary means of making 
a large public trial of his skill. Plymouth Sound was 
fixed upon as the place of trial, and in the month 
of March following, a sloop was purchased of rather 
more than 50 tons burden. She was fitted by an 
eminent shipwright, in a way best adapted to answer 
the purpose of resisting the pressure of the water, 
and of containing a portion of air necessary for the 
support of the adventurer. A chamber was built in 
the vessel, in the strongest manner, with a valve just 
large enough to admit a man and to shut him in 
in perfect security. This chamber, which was fixed 
in the hold on four beams, and effectually secured on 
all sides, contained 7 5 hogsheads of air. The fore and 
after parts of the vessel were to he filled with water, 
admitted by cocks; 10 tons of lime-stones were placed 
in her hold, and 20 tons more were by ringbolts let 
into them, slung in two equal parts on either side. 
These bolts passed through lead pipes into the air 
chamber, were they terminated in screws, each of 
which had a nut and lever. The design of these was, 
that when they were unscrewed the bolts should slip 
through the pipe, and divest the vessel of the ballast 
fastened to them. By this means, it was thought, she 
would immediately rise to the surface of the water. 
On the 20th of June, Mr. Day having provided 


352 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


himself with a hammock, a watch, a wax taper, a 
bottle of water and a biscuit or two, went on board 
his vessel; his patron and servant and two or three 
bargemen remaining in a boat near him. Having 
tilled the fore and after parts of the vessel with water, 
he found she would not sink, and therefore desired 
more stones might he procured and thrown in. It 
was necessary to rip up some of the planks of the 
deck for this purpose, and then about twenty tons 
more of stones were thrown in before she sunk. 
When she began to descend, the self-devoted schemer 
retired to his chamber, shut the valve, and descended 
to the bottom, whence neither he nor the vessel ever 
again arose ! 

Mr. Blake, the capitalist, was in close attendance in 
a barge, and the Orpheus frigate lay by, with orders to 
render every assistance. When the vessel containing 
Mr. Hay sank, the spectators observed a rippling and 
bubbling of the water, hut this was all, and the 
surface instantly became quiet again. He had taken 
with him three buoys or floating signals, but none of 
these appeared, and doubts and apprehensions for his 
safety began to be felt. Mr. Blake, however, remained 
for the stipulated time, twelve hours from the time of 
descent, and then applied for assistance. Ho trace, 
however, was ever obtained either of the diver or of 
his machine, although the Dockyard riggers were 
employed many days in the search. The spot chosen 
for the trial was in one of the deepest parts of the 
Sound, between Drake’s Island and the Prince of 
Wales Eedoubt, the depth being fully 28 fathoms of 
water. 


BLOWING UP OF THE KENT MAN-OF-WAR. 353 


u March 9th.—This clay the royal assent was given 
to the Bill for paving, lighting and watching Ply¬ 
mouth, and for regulating the carmen and coal 
porters.” 

“ June 7th.—The King has been pleased to order a 
charter to be made under the great Seal of Great Britain 
to re-incorporate the Borough of Saltash, in the County 
of Cornwall, by the name and title of 1 The Mayor 
and Free Burgesses of the Borough of Saltash,’ and 
to confirm to them and to their successors their 
ancient powers, authorities, liberties and privileges.” 

u July 4th.—At Plymouth the round-house of the 
Kent man-of-war suddenly blew up, and in its 
consequences exhibited a picture perhaps the most 
dreadful and shocking that it is possible for human 
nature to conceive. By the splinters of the deck in 
bursting between 40 and 50 brave fellows were (some 
of them) so terribly maimed as to have had their 
limbs taken off, or scorched so as to be deprived of 
their sight, whilst others again are flayed all over. 
There are now 35 of them patients in the Hospital 
at Plymouth, one having been since dead of two 
fractures, his arm and leg, he not surviving long 
after an amputation of the latter. It is remarkable 
no officer received any hurt, except Lieutenant Shea, 
of the Marines, who is slightly wounded. The acci¬ 
dent happened in saluting the Admiral, by some 
sparks falling into an arm-chest, which stood on the 
after part of the poop and great cabin. A drummer 
who happened to be sitting on the lid of the chest was 
blown into the air, fell overboard, and was picked up 
by the Albion’s boat, without receiving the least hurt. 


M 





354 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


It is remarkable that out of the small squadron that 
sailed with Sir James Douglas, the Egmont sprung 
her foremast, the Dublin carried away her main and 
foretop mast yards and main topmast,' the Albion a 
main topsail yard, the Raisonable a foretop mast, and 
the Cerberus ran on shore on Penlee Point.” 

“July 14th.—Captain Furneaux, of Swilly, near 
Plymouth, of His Majesty’s sloop the Adventure , who 
sailed from Plymouth the 31st of July, 1772, in com¬ 
pany with Captain Cook, of H.M. sloop the Resolution , 
upon a voyage to make discoveries in the southern 
hemisphere, arrived at Spitliead,, having penetrated 
as far towards the south pole as the latitude of 67 
deg. 10 min., and circumnavigated the Globe chiefly 
between the latitudes of 55 and 60, in which tract 
he met with much ice, but no land. The Adventure 
parted company with the Resolution on the 29th of 
November last off the coast of New Zealand. Capt. 
Furneaux brought with him a native of Otaheite, who 
was desirous of seeing the great King, and was after¬ 
wards presented to His Majesty.” 

“ September 14th.—The Charming Nancy , with the 
lady of General Gage and 170 sick and wounded' 
soldiers, arrived from Boston at Plymouth, all in 
great distress, though but 24 days on their passage. 
They sailed from Boston the 20th August, at which 
time nothing material had happened, except a notifica¬ 
tion being posted up, signifying that such inhabitants 
as were desirous of quitting Boston might give in 
their names to the Town Major, and receive a license 
so to do. This it was supposed was owing to the 
scarcity of provisions, by which General Gage was 


AMERICAN WAR. 


355 


reduced to the necessity of supplying the people from 
the King’s stores, or suffering them to perish. A few 
of the men came on shore, when never hardly were seen 
such objects ! some without legs and others without 
arms and their cloaths hanging on them like a loose 
morning gown, so much were they fallen away by 
sickness and want of proper nourishment. There 
were moreover near 60 women and children on board, 
the widows of the men who were slain. Some of 
them too exhibited a most shocking spectacle, and 
even the vessel itself, though very large, was almost 
intolerable from the stench arising from the sick and 
wounded, for many of them were hardly cured yet. 
Two more transports were daily expected with in¬ 
valids, who sailed from Boston with the above. It was 
a great hardship on this occasion, though perhaps the 
nature of the service cannot immediately relieve it, 
for the men to remain on board till an order from the 
War-office arrived for their debarkation, especially 
as the vessel was obliged to go up into Hamoaze to 
get in a new mainmast, from thence to proceed to 
the river with the invalids for their examination for 
Chelsea Hospital. As to the widows and orphans who 
came home in the N above ship, a subscription was set 
on foot in four or five days after their arrival, by 
Messrs. Jardines, merchants at Plymouth, which by 
the 22nd amounted to £104, and next day was dis¬ 
tributed at the Guildhall according to their several 
necessities.” 

1775.—Ealph Mitchell, Mayor. H.M.S. Torbay , 
64 guns, burnt to the water’s edge in Hamoaze. 


356 


HISTORY OR PLYMOUTH. 


1776. —Henry Tolcher, jun., Mayor. Captain Cook 
sailed from Plymouth on liis third voyage round the 
World on the 12th of July. 

Extensive natural caverns were this year discovered 
at Stonehouse, in the course of quarrying for stone; 
an account of them was written at the time by Dr. 
Geach. 

1777. —Samuel White, Mayor. Carrington, the 
poet, born. 

177 8.—Joseph Freeman, Mayor. ‘ ‘ Viscount Lew is- 
ham elected Member of Parliament, in the room of 
Viscount Barrington.” “ Water brought in pipes in 
Great George-street.” 

1779.—Thomas Blythe Darracott, Mayor. On the 
15th August, “ Hardy was cruising in the soundings 
when the French and Spaniards appeared off Plymouth; 
and some French frigates anchoring in Cawsand Bay 
captured a number of coasting vessels.” “ On the 
16th the Ardent , 64, fell in with the enemy’s fleet, 
and, mistaking it for the British, was surrounded and 
captured within sight of Plymouth.” The fleet con¬ 
sisted of 60 or 70 ships of the line, with a “ cloud” of 
frigates, sloops, fire-ships, etc. 

“Plymouth, January 26th. — On Saturday night 
last, between the hours of 11 and 12, a man was 
discovered on the wall of the Dockyard, near the 
hemp-house. The watchman stationed there imme¬ 
diately fii*ed, on which he jumped off, and although 
instantly pursued could not be found. The method 
he made use of to get on the wall was by means of a 





CAPTAIX COOK. 


357 


large fish hook, fastened to a small cord ; this was 
thrown over the wall, by which means he hauled 
himself up ; in his hand he took a small rope, with a 
basket fixed to it, in which was contained a pint 
bottle of gunpowder, some matches and a dark 
lantern; it was supposed he intended (when, got on 
the wall) to pull these materials after him; a long 
piece of match was fastened to the bottle; and what 
is very remarkable, a window of the hemp-honse was 
left open at the place he ascended. The scheme seems 
highly probable to have been concerted, as it hap¬ 
pened on a very dark night, and when the yardmen 
were paid off, as on those nights they generally drink 
rather freely. Several of the people belonging to the 
hemp-honse have been examined, but nothing has 
transpired to lead to a discovery.” 

u Order issued by the Iving of France respecting 
Capt. Cook. Paris, March 19th.—M. de Sartine, Minis¬ 
ter of the Marine department, has wrote the following 
letter to all captains of armed vessels, etc.:—Captain 
Cook, who sailed from Plymouth in July, 1778, on 
board the Resolution , in company with the Discovery , 
Captain Clarke, in order to make some discoveries on 
the coasts, islands, and seas of Japan and California, 
being on the point of returning to Europe, and as 
such discoveries are of general utility to all nations, 
it is the King’s pleasure that Captain Cook shall be 
treated as a commander of a neutral and allied power, 
and that all captains of armed vessels, etc., who may 
meet that famous navigator shall make him acquainted 
with the King’s orders on this behalf, but at the same 




358 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


time let him know that on his part he must refrain 
from all hostilities.” 

1780. —Jacob Shaw, Mayor. Sir Frederick Leman 
Eogers, Bart., and Vice-Admiral Darby, Members of 
Parliament. “ October, died Mrs. Bradshaw, formerly 
of Drury Lane Theatre. The circumstances of her 
death are worth recording. She had a few years ago 
adopted a young girl, hut the uncommon care which 
she had taken of her education, and the fatal con¬ 
sequence which has attended the want of success of 
her adopted, make it now believed that she was really 
Mrs. Bradshaw’s own daughter; for upon her return 
from France, she was engaged to dance at Plymouth; 
hut whether from the length of the dance, the timid¬ 
ity of the performer, or the ill-nature or ignorance of 
the audience, she was hissed. The effect this mis¬ 
fortune had upon Mrs. Bradshaw was truly tragical. 
She fell into fits instantly, was conveyed home raving 
mad, and died a short time after.” Mrs. Bradshaw 
herself had long been in the habit of appearing before 
Plymouth audiences. As far hack as June, 1765, she 
played Mrs. Peachem in the “Beggar’s Opera” and 
in July of the same year, Fanny, in the “Maid of the 
Mill.” 

1781. —Joseph Austen, Mayor. 

1782. —George W. Marshall, Mayor. The following 
is from the curious will of William Shackell, Esq., 
Governor of Plymouth, proved in the Prerogative 
Court of Canterbury, October 12th, 1782. “I desire 

that my body may he kept as long as it may not be 

\ 





FRENCH PRISONERS. 


359 


offensive, and that one of my toes or fingers may he 
cut off to secure a certainty of my being dead; I also 
make this further request to my dear wife, that as she 
has been troubled with one old fool, she will not think 
of marrying a second.” The celebrated Dr. Musgrave 
died in Plymouth. 

“ January 26th.—A cartel ship, with 300 French 
prisoners on board, part of the regiments of Aquitaine 
and Soissons, which were taken by Admiral Kempen- 
feldt, in clearing Mount Batten in Plymouth harbour, 
fell to leeward, missed stays, and drove upon the reef 
of rocks at the east-end of it. The poor unfortunate 
prisoners, who were but a moment before huzzaing 
in the highest spirits, were now sunk into the deepest 
distress, many of them wringing their hands as if on 
the point of perishing. Some that could swim reached 
the boats that had put off to their assistance. Six 
boys got out the yawl, and attempted to reach the 
shore, and the boat instantly staved. The next wave 
that succeeded cast the lads on the shore, who found 
means to crawl up the rocks and were saved. A cutter 
that attended the cartel got out all the boats, and 
with the assistance that instantly came from the shore 
took almost every man on board, not more than two 
or three being missing, who it was supposed in the 
hurry had slipped down between the boats.” “ July 
13th. — This day the combined fleets of France and 
Spain were seen W.S.W. from the Lizard, distant 
about 13 miles.” 

1783.—John Arthur, Mayor. “ April 1st.—300 
of the Medway's crew landed at North Corner with 





360 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


bludgeons, paraded up Fore-street, Dock, into Liberty 
Field, and there waited for the crew of the Crown. 
About an hour after, the crews of the Crown and 
Vengeance , near 800 men, landed to fight the Med¬ 
io ay's people; but the crew of the Medway , finding 
they should be overpowered, dispersed and went on 
board their ship, which prevented a great deal of 
bloodshed. The quarrel originated from some of the 
Medway's people insulting the boatswain’s wife of the 
Croton. Nothing here but fighting and rioting among 
the crews paid off.” u April 5th.—The crew of the 
Artois , Captain Me. Bride, mutinied, and threatened 
to unrig the ship; but the captain, on proper applica¬ 
tion, found means to quiet them, and on promising 
them redress they returned to their duty.” The 
Somerset Militia and the Brecknock Militia, the one 
being encamped in the Brickfield and the other within 
the lines, fired on each other over the ramparts, and 
several were killed and wounded. 

-v 

1784. — John Nicolls, Mayor. Captain Bobert 
Fanshawe, B.N., Member of Parliament. January 
31st.—An address from the mayor and inhabitants 
of Plymouth was presented to His Majesty upon 
the removal of the late ministry. In January an 
earthquake was felt in different parts of Devon and 
Cornwall. September 7th.—Thursday morning, at ten 
o’clock, the remains of Sir Eyre Coote, K.B., were 
landed at the jetty head in the Dockyard, the Bombay 
Castle firing 21 minute guns, the corps of marines 
forming a line to the gates, drums beating a point of 
war, colours flying, music playing a solemn dirge, the 






GREAT FALL OF SNOW. 


361 


officers saluting the hearse as it passed. In Fore- 
street, two companies of Royal Artillery, the 39th 
and 40th Foot, received the body, forming them¬ 
selves into divisions of six a breast, the grenadiers 
and light infantry taking the lead. They then pro¬ 
ceeded through the Towns of Dock, Stonehouse and 
Plymouth and through the glacis to the gates of the 
Citadel, where the Lieutenant-Governor Campbell, 
received the body with every mark of respect. The 
two battalions and artillery formed on the Parade, 
before the Governor’s house; the grenadiers and light 
infantry, in four divisions, escorted the hearse to the 
chapel, the troops presenting their arms, the drums 
beating and music playing; 19 minute guns were 
fired during this ceremony, and the body was depo¬ 
sited in the chapel with great solemnity and respect. 
The numerous crowd of spectators which attended, 
testified their regard to the memory of so great a 
man. 

“ September 6th.—Last night and this day our usual 
storm at this season of the year commenced with a 
violent gale at S.W., and has blown with incredible 
fury, accompanied with a most tremendous pitching 
sea. A boat with three men was overset in Hamoaze, 
and all perished. There were but two men-of-war in 
the Sound, who rode it out well.” 

1785.—Joseph Tolcher, Mayor. “ April 2nd.—The 
winter season, from the first fall of snow on the 7th of 
October, 1784, to that which fell this day, lasted 177 
days; and if we except about twelve days towards the 
end of January, the whole of this period was frosty or 




362 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


snowy, or both. September 5th.—A great storm, 
which did considerable damage both at sea and land.” 

After much disputing and unpleasantness between 
the Yicar of Saint Andrew’s and the inhabitants of 
Stonehouse, it was ultimately proved and agreed to 
that the Chapel at Stonehouse was a Chapel of Ease 
to Saint Andrew’s. 

1786. —Diggory Tonkin, Mayor. At Plymouth, on 
the 9th of March, 1786, His Eoyal Highness Prince 
William Henry, Duke of Clarence (afterwards King 
William IV.), was initiated into the ancient and 
honourable Society of Free and Accepted Masons, 
Lodge Ho. 86, at the Prince George Inn and Tavern 
(Payne’s), in Vauxhall-street, then one of the principal 
inns in the town. 

“May 23rd.—His Eoyal Highness Prince William 
Henry accepted of the freedom of Plymouth, which 
was presented to him at Mr. Winne’s, in a very elegant 
box, by the four senior Aldermen and Common Coun- 
cilmen.” 

1787. — Eobert Fanshawe, Mayor. “His Eoyal 
Highness Prince William Henry, Duke of Clarence 
(afterwards King William IV.) arrived here on the 
27th of December, in the Pegasus , from America.” 

“Plymouth, December 27th.—The Pegasus frigate, 
from Cork, commanded by His Eoyal Highness Prince 
William Henry, arrived here. His Eoyal Highness, 
after visiting the Admiral and Commissioner of the 
Dock, took up his residence at Mr. Winne’s, an emi¬ 
nent merchant of this town. On his passage, His 






DUKE OP CLARENCE AT PLYMOUTH. 


363 


Highness experienced the effects of a very extraor¬ 
dinary phenomenon. A thunderstorm broke over the 
ship so violently as to tear some of the sails and shiver 
the mainmast, so as to render it necessary for a new 
mast to be supplied. The season of the year makes 
the circumstance memorable, and the more so as the 

♦ 

storm was more tremendous on the north coast of 
France than at sea.” 

1788.—Peter Tonkin, Mayor. u Plymouth, January 
5th.—Their Royal Highnesses the Prince of Wales 
and Duke of York arrived here on a visit to his Royal 
Highness Prince William Henry; viewed the Dock¬ 
yard and Mount Edgcumbe and the Citadel, and after 
giving a ball at the Long Room returned to London. 
And in July, Prince William Henry in the Andromeda , 
sailed for America, accompanied by the most fervent 
wishes for his safe return from the inhabitants of 
this town, who had been so highly favoured by his 
presence; indeed, his politeness and attention will 
never be forgotten.” 

u Plymouth, January 14th.—Last Tuesday evening, 
at eleven, arrived here, in a coach and six, their Royal 
Highnesses the Prince of Wales and Duke of York, 
accompanied by Prince William Henry, who went to 
meet them. The concourse of people was astonishing, 
the illuminations splendid, and the demonstrations of 
joy on every countenance pleasing beyond expression. 
The carriage proceeded slowly through the town to 
lodgings prepared for the royal guests in Fore-street.” 

John Richards and William Smith, for the murder 
of Mr. Philip Smith, clerk in the Dockyard, in 1787. 





304 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


were executed, and their bodies brought to Stoke, 
where they were gibetted opposite the churchyard. 
Smith’s body remained there about seven years, and 
the other longer. 

1789.—John Cooban, Mayor. This year Plymouth 
was visited by King George III. and the Koyal family. 
The following is an account of this visit:— 

His Majesty, the Queen, with the three eldest 
princesses, Princess Eoyal, Augusta and Elizabeth, 
left Weymouth for Plymouth, Thursday, the 13th 
August, arrived at Exeter the same evening, and left 
for Plymouth on Saturday, the 15th, with their suite, 
about nine in the morning, and about three in the 
afternoon reached Saltram House, the seat of Lord 
Boringdon, near Plymouth. Their arrival was an¬ 
nounced by a royal salute. In the evening Saltram 
House was brilliantly illuminated. 

Monday, August 17th.—Their Majesties and the 
Princesses left Saltram House about nine in the 
morning. At the entrance of the Town of Plymouth 
they were received under a triumphal arch by the 
Mayor and Corporation, and conducted to the bottom 
of Stonehouse-lane, where the Corporation took leave. 
About 11 they reached the Hock, where they were 
received by the troops in Garrison and saluted by a 
feu de joie . The cannon on the ramparts were fired, 
and were answered by another salute from the fort at 
Plymouth. Their Majesties alighted at Commissioner 
Laforey’s, in the Dockyard, where they Avere received 
by the Earls of Chesterfield, Chatham and Howe. 
After taking some refreshment the Eoyal family went 



VISIT OF KING GEORGE THE THIRD. 


3G5 


on board the Impregnable , of 90 guns, Admiral Sir 
Richard Bickerton. As their Majesties ascended the 
Impregnable a royal salute was fired, as well from her 
as from every other ship in the harbour and in the 
Sound. The Citadel and small forts paid the same 
respect. The Lynx , a Dutch ship-of-war, also dressed 
ship and saluted. Their Majesties stayed on board 
near an hour. As soon as their Majesties put off 
from the Impregnable , the standard and Admiralty 
flags were hauled down, and in their stead, in less 
than a minute, the ship was dressed in all the varie¬ 
gated colours that the world could supply. A very 
handsome cutter, rowed by six fine young women, 
and steered by a seventh, all habited in loose white 
gowns, with nankin safeguards, and black bonnets, 
each wearing a sash across her shoulders of royal 
purple, with Long live their Majesties ! in gold, accom¬ 
panied the royal barge till it returned to shore. At 
half after three His Majesty, the Queen and Princesses 
left the Dock, and proceeded in state barges up Catte- 
water to Saltram, attended by an immense number of 
sloops, barges and boats, the forts, all the ships at 
anchor, and lastly all the guns in the park, saluting 
them as they passed. 

Tuesday 18th.—This day the naval review took 
place. About eight in the morning His Majesty was 
rowed on board the Southampton in the Sound. At 
half after nine the Southampton got under weigh. The 
Duke of Richmond attended in his yacht. In a few 
minutes the first ship in the fleet appeared off Staddon 
Heights, steering due west, the wind east, with two 
points to the south, blowing a gentle breeze. When 



366 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


the King’s ship had weathered Mewstone Point, she 
descried the whole of the fleet, and fired one gun. 
At this time the view was beautiful beyond descrip¬ 
tion, there being above 100 different vessels, sloops, 
and yachts in motion, and the shore covered with 
spectators. The fleet formed in two separate lines of 
battle. Captain Me. Bride, in the Cumberland , with 
three other ships, formed a line ahead, supposed for 
the enemy. Commodore Goodall, in the Carnatic , 
formed the line with the other ships. As soon as he 
got up with the enemy’s rear he engaged. The next 
ship passed to windward, and attacked the next ship 
ahead, and so till the rear ship of the British line 
was opposite the van of the enemy. When the South¬ 
ampton came in full view of the fleet a general salute 
took place. After this ceremony was ended, and the 
captains having been introduced to His Majesty as he 
passed the line of battle, the dispositions were made 
for an action between the two divisions. The Mag¬ 
nificent had by this time joined the second line. After 
manoeuvering for some time upon different tacks, in 
order to bring each other to action, the engagement 
began with a most furious cannonade between the two 
commanders, the others speedily joined in the thunder¬ 
ing festivity. In about a quarter of an hour, both fleets 
wearing westward, the first line gave way, and were 
furiously assailed by the second, and covered in their 
flight by Captain Me. Bride, the Commodore. The 
people on shore conceived it was all over, but they 
were mistaken, for the French line (as it was called) 
wore upon the larboard tack, and faced the English 
with redoubled vigour. They continued until half- 


VISIT OF KING GEOKGE THE THIKD. 


367 


past one, when they were a second time obliged to 
give way. His Majesty returned, highly pleased with 
his excursion, about half after three, under a salute of 
the fort, etc. 

Thursday, August 20th.—His Majesty, unaccom¬ 
panied by nny of the Boyal family, left Saltram, and 
went to the Victualling Office to examine the state of 
the provisions. He ordered a cask to he opened and 
a piece to he taken out and sent to Saltram for his 
own tasting. He then visited the Lower Fort, the 
Citadel, the ramparts, the storehouse, and last of all 
the subterraneous works, the mines, etc., in which 
no person hut the Duke of Bickmond, Lord George 
Lennox (the Governor), and the Chief Engineer was 
permitted to accompany him. When he mounted the 
upper part of the Garrison, he was received by the 
Mayor and Corporation, the invalids, and a detachment 
of the South Devon Militia, their music playing u God 
save the King,” and who attended him in his walk 
round the ramparts. When he came to the Governor’s 
house the Mayor and Corporation were admitted to 
the royal presence, and a dutiful and loyal address 
was presented, and most graciously received. The 
Corporation had the honour of kissing hands. His 
Majesty left the fort, and proceeded by water to the 
Gun Wharf and surveyed the ordnance. 

Friday, Aug. 21st.—Their Majesties visited Mount 
Edgcumbe. On their landing, sixteen young maidens 
dressed in white, preceded the royal pair, strewing 
roses, carnations and myrtles; and when they came 
to the steps that lead to the grand arcade, each 
maiden, on her knee, presented a curious flower 



368 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


to tlieir Majesties, which was graciously received. 
The dinner and dessert were sumptuous and elegant. 
At six the King retired, and took water, accompanied 
by a large fleet of boats and barges, and was rowed 
through the Sound to Sal tram. 

Saturday, August 22nd.—The Royal family visited 
Maristow, the seat of Mr. Heywood, situated on the 
banks of the Tavy. The woods belonging to this 
gentleman extend nearly three miles down the river, 
in the most striking and romantic situations. Several 
new roads were cut through these woods for the 
accommodation of the royal visitors, who spent two 
hours in admiration of their beauties, and repeated 
their visit on Monday, the 24th. The two following 
days were spent in exploring the course of the Tamar. 
On Wednesday they landed at Cothele, an ancient 
seat of the Edgcumbe family, situated about 14 
miles up the Tamar. Triumphal cars, with four 
wheels each, and two ponies, were provided to convey 
their Majesties and the Princesses to the castle, which 
stands on a proud eminence, about a quarter of a mile 
from the banks of the river. On their arrival at the 
outer gate 21 pateraroes were fired. After viewing 
the ancient curiosities of the castle, amongst which 
are the several pieces of old armour, and partaking of 
some refreshment, the whole party re-embarked and 
returned to Saltram at two in the afternoon, highly 
gratified by the novelty of the fresh-water navigation. 
The next morning they left Saltram on their return to 
Weymouth. Before His Majesty’s departure he was 
graciously pleased to confer the honour of knighthood 
on Thomas Bayard, Esq., Captain of the Impregnable , 


DEATH OF SMEATON. 


369 


who had the honour to steer his Majesty’s barge in 
his excursions during his stay at this port.” 

1790. —Stephen Hammick, Mayor. Sir Alan Gardner 
and John Macbride, and afterwards Sir Alan Gardner 
and Sir Fred. L. Rogers, Members of Parliament. 

1791. —George Wynne, Mayor. “ March 7th.—A 
melancholy accident lately happened in the neighbour¬ 
hood of Plymouth. Mr. W. Good and his daughter, 
crossing a ford in the Parish of Buckland Mona- 
choruin on one horse, the water being deep, the horse 
lost his footing, by which means the young woman 
fell off the horse, and the father, endeavouring to 
save his daughter, fell into the ford, and both were 
unfortunately drowned.” The ferry at Torpoint estab¬ 
lished, and one of the piers at the entrance of Sutton 
Pool built. 

1792. — William Creese, Mayor. On the 28th 
October, died Mr. John Smeaton, the builder of the 
Eddystone Lighthouse, and one of the most accom¬ 
plished engineers of any age. Mr. Smeaton was born 
in 1724 at Ansthorpe, near Leeds, and was the son of 
an attorney of that place. His turn for mechanics 
and engineering displayed itself while he was yet a 
mere infant of four or five years old, and before he 
was fifteen he had made for himself an engine or 
lathe to turn rose-work, and had turned many snuff¬ 
boxes for his friends. In 1742 he was sent to London 
by his father to study for the law, but soon gave it 
up, and in 1750 he commenced business as a mathe- 





370 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


matical instrument maker. In 1751 he invented a 
machine for measuring a ship’s way at sea, and two 
years later was elected E.B.S., and from that time 
frequently contributed to the Philosophical Trans¬ 
actions, receiving in 1759 the gold medal for his 
experiments in the powers of wind and water to turn 
mills. In 1755 the Eddystone Lighthouse built by 
John Eudyerd was burnt down, when the Earl of 
Macclesfield, President of the Eoyal Society, being 
applied to to recommend some one to undertake its 
reconstruction, named Mr. Smeaton, who entered into 
the project with all his energy, and completed it, 
including all interruptions, in three years, nine weeks, 
and three days, from the time of the first stroke being 
given upon the rock—the time actually employed in 
the work being only 111 days and 10 hours. “This 
day (October the 9th, 1759),” he writes, “after 
innumerable difficulties and dangers, was a happy 
period put to this undertaking, without the loss of 
life or limb to anyone concerned in the work.” In 
1764 Smeaton was appointed one of the Receivers of 
the Per went water estates for Greenwich Hospital, an 
appointment which in 1777 he resigned in consequence 
of the increase of his engineering engagements. In 
1785 Mr. Smeaton’s health began to fail, and in 1792 
he was struck with the palsy, which in a few weeks 
carried him off. Shortly after his seizure he wrote: 
“ I conclude myself nine-tenths dead, and the greatest 
favour the Almighty can do me (as I think) will be to 
complete the other part; but as it is likely to be a 
lingering illness, it is only in His power to say when 
that shall happen.” Mr. Smeaton was engaged in 



371 


DESTRUCTIVE EIRE. 


most of the engineering projects of his day, and his 
skill has never been surpassed. 

1793. —Andrew Hill, Mayor. 

1794. —William Symons, Mayor. Great mortality 
among the troops detained at this port for the West 
Indian expedition. The Hospital of White Friars 
converted into an hospital for the sick soldiers. The 
Coquette French frigate, a prize, accidentally burned. 

1795. —Robert Fuge, Mayor. “Destructive fire 
in Plymouth.—December 16th. This evening, about 
five o’clock, a dreadful fire broke out in a sail-loft in 
Southside-street, belonging to Mr. Douglas, sailmaker. 
In a few minutes the whole building was in flames. 
Every exertion was made to check its progress, but 
the lofts were filled with such inflammable materials 
as rendered every effort ineffectual. In addition to 
the sail cloth, rope, etc., belonging to Mr. Douglas, 
the lofts of the premises were filled with a valuable 
cargo of bale goods, landed out of a Danish ship that 
was then under repair, to which the fire soon com¬ 
municated, and the conflagration became terrible 
indeed. The flames presently extended to the houses 
on each side Mr. Douglas’s, and they being occupied 
by people of the same profession, their lofts were 
also filled with the like inflammable materials, so that 
the fire became extremely alarming, and threatened 
destruction to the whole neighbourhood. It continued 
burning six hours with incredible fury, when by the 
great exertions of the inhabitants and the military, 




372 HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 

with the assistance of' the Dockyard and Hospital 
engines, it was fortunately prevented from spreading 
further, but the three houses were entirely consumed. 
The loss is supposed to amount to £15,000. Many 
of the unfortunate sufferers are uninsured, and sub¬ 
scriptions are now open for their relief. It is a 
providential circumstance that the tide was flood at 
the time, or the fire would have communicated to the 
shipping in the pool, and probably in that case half 
the town would have been destroyed.” The Marine 
Barracks built. 

As an illustration of the means of communication 
between Plymouth and Exeter at this period, the 
following extracts are made from advertisements in 
The Exeter Flying-Post , or Plymouth and Cornish 
Advertiser of December 3rd, 1795: u Hotel Assembly 
Boom, Exeter, February 4th, 1795. The following 
carriages set out from Thompson’s Hotel, Church 
yard, Exeter : Plymouth and Dock Diligence every 
morning at seven.” u Hew London Inn, Exeter. The 
following carriages set out from the Hew London Inn, 
viz.: A Balloon Coach to Dock every morning at eight 
o’clock. Inside, 15s. Qd. Outside, 8s. To the Old 
King’s Arms Inn.” 

Considerable excitement prevailed in various parts 
of the kingdom, consequent on two bills introduced 
into Parliament for the preventing of seditious assem¬ 
blies, and the safety of the King and Government, 
and this was, as will be seen by the following, carried 
to great extent in this town 


373 


BLOWING UP OF THE “ AMFHION.” 

PLYMOUTH. 

At a MEETING of the Inhabitants of Plymouth and its Yicinity, 

convened by Public Notice, from the Worshipful the Mayor (in consequence of a requi¬ 
sition), and assembled at the Guildhall of this town, on the 30th day of November, 1795, 
for the purpose of considering the resolutions of a Meeting of the Inhabitants of Plymouth, 
Plymouth-Dock, and Stonehouse, held at the Long-IJoom, Stonehouse, on the 23rd inst., 
for the purpose of taking into consideration the propriety of petitioning against Two Bills 
pending in Parliament; the one for the Safety and Preservation of his Majesty’s Person 
and Government; the other for the more effectually preventing Seditious Assemblies ; a 
Motion being made that the printed resolutions of the said Meeting, at Stonehouse, be 
read, they were read accordingly ; after which the following Resolutions were agreed to. 

1. —That the Resolutions of the said Meeting at Stonehouse, being stated to be the 
Resolutions of the Inhabitants of Plymouth, Plymouth-Dock, and Stonehouse, We, as 
Inhabitants of Plymouth, think it proper to declare, that those Resolutions, as far as 
they relate to those two Bills, do not speak our sentiments. 

2. —That, in particular, we see no just Ground for considering those Bills, either as 
subversive of the Principles of the Constitution, or as unnecessary; being Ourselves of 
Opinion that their Provisions are hostile only to the Licentious Abuse of our Constitutional 
Privileges, which Abuse calls aloud for a salutary Check, and that such Provisions are 
therefore friendly to a just, rational, and honest liberty. 

3. —That a petition from this Meeting, declaratory of its Sentiments, be presented to 
the House of Commons, praying that Honourable House to adopt such Provisions as to its 
Wisdom shall seem meet, for the Preservation of his Majesty’s Person and Government, 
and the stability of our happy Constitution. 

4. —That a Committee be appointed to prepare a Petition to the Honourable the House 
of Commons, on the pi-inciples of the above Resolutions, and that Mr. Symons, Mr. 
Tonkin, Mr. Hill, Major Hawker, Mr. Culme, Mr. Rosdew, Mr. G. Woolcombe, 
Rev. Mr. Gandy, Mr. Leach, Major Money, Mr. Harris, Mr. Cleather, be a Committee 
for that Purpose. 

5. —The Committee, having accordingly presented a Petition, Resolved That the same 
be adopted, and left on the Guildhall Table, till Wednesday next, at 4 o’clock in the after 
noon, for the Signature of such Persons as may approve thereof, and that the same be 
then transmitted to Sir F. L. Rogers and Sir Alan Gardner, Barts., the Members for 
this Borough, to be presented to the Honourable the House of Commons. 

6. —That the Thanks of this Meeting be given to the Chairman for his Readiness in 
calling the Meeting, and his Manly and Impartial Conduct in the Chair. 

7. —That the Thanks of this Meeting be given to Major Hawker, for bringing forward the 
above Resolutions. 

8. —That the above Resolutions, signed by the Chairman, be printed and published in the 
Sun, Star, Courier, Sherborne, and Exeter papers. 

ROBERT FUGE, Mayor, Chairman. 

1796.—Bichard Burdwood, Mayor. Sir Frederick 
L. Bogers, Bart., and Francis Glanville, Members of 
Parliament. “ September 24th.—Blowing up of the 
Amphion frigate in Flamoaze, Plymouth. The melan¬ 
choly account of the blowing up of the Amphion 
frigate at Plymouth was received at the Admiralty 
from Sir Bichard King, by which it appears that 




374 


HISTOKY OF PLYMOUTH. 


Capt. Israel Pellew, the first lieutenant, and 15 of the 
crew, out of 220, are the only survivors left to relate 
the dismal catastrophe. Capt. Swaffield, of the Dutch 
prize, is amongst the unfortunate victims. The accident 
happened at a quarter past 4 ou Thursday afternoon 
(the 22nd), while the captain and his friends were 
at dinner. Captain Pellew is dangerously wounded. 
Every exertion that could be used was rendered by 
the ship’s boats in the harbour.” “ October 10th, 
Plymouth.—The court martial which was held last 
Saturday on board the Admiral’s ship Cambridge , to 
enquire into the cause of the loss of M.H. ship the 
Amphion , which blew up on the 22nd of last month 
in this harbour, after an examination of all the sur¬ 
viving crew, very honourably acquitted both the 
captain and officers of every idea of remissness or 
neglect upon that occasion. It must have been par¬ 
ticularly gratifying to Captain Pellew, after the court 
martial was over, at the request made to him by the 
whole of the ship’s company which survived this 
unhappy affair, that he would suffer them to be 
partners of his future fortune when he should obtain 
a ship, having so long sailed with him—one of the 
best testimonies this to the character of an officer.” 
Capt. (afterwards Admiral) Israel Pellew, thus spoken 
of, was brother to Capt. (afterwards Admiral) Edward 
Pellew, who in the same year distinguished himself 
in saving the crew of the Dutton , as will be seen on 
the next page, and was afterwards created Viscount 
Exmouth. At the time of the blowing up of the 
frigate, Capt. Pellew and Capt. Swaffield were dining 
together on board along with the first lieutenant. 




LOSS OF THE u DUTTON.” 375 

They were seated together at the table, and the 
servant was just entering the cabin with a dish, when 
a sudden and violent shock threw them from their 
seats against the carlings of the upper deck. Capt. 
Pellew exclaimed, u The ship is blown up,” and sprang 
to the quarter gallery. Looking forward, he saw the 
foremast carried up into the air. Next instant a block 
or spar struck him on the forehead, and knocked him 
senseless into the water. The lieutenant, who had 
closely followed him, was blown through the window, 
and taken up comparatively unhurt. About 300 
perished. Captain Pellew remained in a critical state 
for some time, and ever afterwards bore the mark of 
the blow he had received. After a brilliant career 
he died 19th July, 1832, aged 73, and is buried in 
Charles’ Church, where a tablet has been erected to 
his memory. 

One of the memorable events of this year is the 
loss of the Dutton , East Indian transport ship, which 
on the 26th of January, while on her way to the West 
Indies with a part of the 2nd or Queen’s Regiment 
on board, was driven through stress of weather into 
Plymouth. She had been out seven weeks, and had 
many sick on board. The gale increasing in the after¬ 
noon, it was determined to run for greater safety into 
Catwater; but the buoy at the extremity of the reef 
of Mount Patten having broken adrift unknown to 
the pilots, she ran on the shoal and carried away 
her rudder. Thus rendered unmanageable, she fell 
off and grounded under the Citadel, where, beating 
round, she lay rolling heavily with her broadside to 


376 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


the waves, and at her second roll threw all her masts 
overboard together. Sir Edward Pellew, of ELM. ship 
Indefatigable , which was then lying in Hamoaze, and 
Lady Pellew were enagaged to dine on that day with 
Dr. Hawker, the Yicar of Charles, who had become 
acquainted with Mr. Pellew, when they were serving 
together at Plymouth as surgeons to the marines. Sir 
Edward noticed the crowds running to the Iloe, and 
having learned the cause he sprang out of his 
carriage, and ran off with the rest. Arrived at the 
beach, he saw at once that the loss of nearly all on 
board, between five and six hundred, was inevitable, 
without some one to direct them. The principal 
officers of the ship had abandoned their charge, and 
got on shore just as he arrived on the beach. Having 
urged them, but without success, to return to their 
duty, and vainly offered rewards to pilots and others 
belonging to the port to board the wreck, for all 
thought it too hazardous to be attempted, he ex¬ 
claimed, “Then I will go myself!” A single rope, by 
which the officers and a few others had landed, formed 
the only means of communication with the ship, and 
by this he was hauled on board through the surf. 
The danger was greatly increased by the wreck of the 
masts, which had fallen towards the shore; and he 
received an injury on the back, which confined him to 
his bed for a week, in consequence of being dragged 
under the mainmast. But disregarding this at the 
time, he reached the deck, declared himself, and 
assumed the command. He assured the people that 
every one would be saved, if they quietly obeyed his 
orders ; that he would himself be the last to quit the 


LOSS OF THE “DUTTON.” 377 

wreck, but that he would run any one through who 
disobeyed him. His well known name, with the 
calmness and energy he displayed, gave confidence to 
the despairing multitude. He was received with three 
hearty cheers, which were echoed by the multitude on 
shore; and his promptitude at resource soon enabled 
him to find and apply the means by which all might 
be safely landed. His officers in the meantime, 
though not knowing that he was on board, were 
exerting themselves to bring assistance from the 
Indefatigable. Mr. Pellowe, first lieutenant, left the 
ship in the barge, and Mr. Thompson, acting master, 
in the launch; but the boats could not be brought 
alongside the wreck, and were obliged to run for the 
Barbican. A small boat belonging to a merchant vessel 
was more fortunate. Mr. Esdell, signal midshipman 
to the port admiral, and Mr. Coghlan, mate of the 
vessel, succeeded at the risk of their lives in bringing 
her alongside. The ends of two additional hawsers 
were- got on shore, and Sir Edward contrived cradles 
to be slung upon them, with travelling ropes to pass 
forward and backward between the ship and the 
beach. Each hawser was held on shore by a number 
of men, who watched the rolling of the wreck, and 
kept the ropes tight and steady. Meantime a cutter 
had with great difficulty worked out of Plymouth 
Pool, and two large boats arrived from the Dockyard 
under the directions of Mr. Hemmings, the master- 
attendant, by whose caution and judgment they were 
enabled to approach the wreck, and receive the more 
helpless of the passengers, who were carried to the 
cutter. Sir Edward, with his sword drawn, directed 


378 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


the proceedings, and preserved order, a task the more 
difficult as the soldiers had got at the spirits before he 
came on board, and many were drunk. The children, 
the women, and the sick were the first landed. One 
of them was only three weeks old, and nothing in the 
whole transaction impressed Sir Edward more strongly 
than the struggle of the mother’s feelings before she 
would entrust her infant to his care, or afforded him 
more pleasure than the success of his attempt to save 
it. Next the soldiers were got on shore; then the 
ship’s company; and finally, Sir Edward himself, who 
was one of the last to leave her. Every one was 
saved, and presently after the wreck went to pieces. 
Nothing could equal the lustre of such an action, 
except the modesty of him who was the hero of it. 
Services performed in the sight of thousands could 
not thus be concealed. Praise was lavished upon him 
from every quarter. The Corporation of Plymouth 
voted him the freedom of the town. The merchants 
of Liverpool presented him with a valuable service of 
plate. On the 5th of March following he was created 
a baronet, as Sir Edward Pellew, of Treverry, and 
received for an honourable augmentation of his arms 
a civic wreath, a stranded ship for a crest, and the 
motto, “ Deo adjuvante Fortuna sequatur.” This 
motto, so modest, and not less expressive of his own 
habitual feeling, was chosen by himself, in preference 
to one proposed, which was more personally compli¬ 
mentary.” Sir Edward, who afterwards became an 
admiral, was in 1814 created Yiscount Exmouth, of 
Canonteign. He died in 1833, and was buried at 
Christow, the parish in which Canonteign is situated, 


EXECUTION ON THE HOE. 


379 


where an appropriate monument is erected to his 
memory. 

1797.—Peter Tonkin, Mayor. William Elforcl, 
Member of Parliament, in room of Francis Glanyille. 
Mutiny in the Dockyard. 

Three marines were executed on the Hoe for mutiny. 
u Perhaps there never was so great a number assembled 
together in this neighbourhood before as there was to 
witness this, as the Hoe was literally full, and the 
military were calculated to be 10,000 men, as all the 
marines were sent on shore, and the inhabitants who 
were present were estimated at 4,000. Another marine 
received the first part of his punishment just before 
the execution. His sentence was 1,000 lashes and 
to be transported. He was an old man, but con¬ 
cerned in the mutiny. They were all Irishmen. Lee 
was a Protestant, and was attended from the Citadel 
cell through the west sally-port to the fatal spot by 
the Eev. E. Hawker. Coffey and Braning were of 
the Eomish Church, and were attended by a priest of 
that persuasion. Their march from the Citadel to 
the Hoe was of the most awful kind ever witnessed. 
They w r ere preceded by the Marine Band playing the 
Dead March in Saul, and each of the culprits had 
his coffin borne before him by four men, guarded 
by a strong party of foot and some of the Surrey 
Dragoons. They were allowed their own time for 
preparation for death. The firing party came very 
near; the culprits knelt each on his coffin. At the 
first fire two fell, but Lee remained until the reserve 
had almost all fired at him, until one came near and 



380 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


blew his brains out. After the execution the whole 
of the troops marched round them, so it was im¬ 
possible for many to see the unfortunate men. They 
were tried in the Citadel Hospital by a military 
court. The witnesses were many, and some of them 
gave evidence in a clear and circumstantial manner 
respecting their assembling on Stonehouse-hill, with 
many others, and administering an oath to all that 
joined—it should rather be said caused them to take 
an oath—as a book was placed in the centre, and the 
form of the oath was—to be true and faithful to each 
other, to free themselves and the Trench prisoners, 
and not to stop until they overturned the Government 
of the kingdom. Lee was convicted of addressing 
them at one of the treasonable meetings, and assuring 
them that they would be joined by the crews of two 
line of battle ships then in harbour, as he and others 
had been on board for that purpose, but they did not 
then manifest any symptoms of discontent. Happily 
this alarming conspiracy was timely discovered by one 
of their party betraying them, and the first act of the 
commanding officer was depriving the whole battalion 
of their arms and accoutrements instantaneously, which 
was done by assembling all the officers which were at 
head-quarters, and which are generally very numerous, 
and going from room to room they collected all, and 
brought them to the guard-house.” 

“May 5th.—A melancholy accident happened this 
evening at Plymouth. Two young ladies, daughters of 
Mr. Shepherd, surgeon of the Dockyard, and another 
young lady of the name of Gregg, were playing on 
one of the ship’s yards, which was at the mast-liouse 





SINGULAR FATALITIES. 


381 


to be repaired, when it gave way on a sudden, and 
the ladies not being able to extricate themselves, it 
rolled over them, which occasioned the immediate death 
of the two first, who were most shockingly mangled, 
and the other had her leg broken. The eldest of the 
two sisters was about the age of fifteen, and the other 
only in her twelfth year.” 

“ Bursting of a spring at Newton Ferrers.—January 
21st. This night, at 11 o’clock, a cottage at Newton 
Ferrers, a few miles from Plymouth, in which slept 
an industrious widow (cottager) and her two children, 
was overwhelmed by the bursting of a very large field 
and orchard on a hill above the cottage in Membland- 
lanc. It totally destroyed the cottage and a barn, 
and suffocated the widow and her two children, who 
were found dead under a very great heap of earth, 
elm trees and cedar trees. A large chasm in the 
field above the cottage was found, out of which 
issued a rivulet of water. The farmers imagine that 
it was owing to the bursting of a spring that this 
melancholy accident occurred. The bodies were dug 
out on Monday, and Mr. Whiteford, coroner for the 
southern district of Devon, took an inquisition, and 
the jury returned a verdict — u Accidental death.” 

The following singular death occurred here this 
year:—At Plymouth, after a long and painful illness, 
the Eev. Mr. Love, Bector of Hittersley. He was 
sitting up in his bed, and desired Mrs. Love to give 
him a sharp pen-knife to pare his nails. Suddenly he 
was seized with a rising of the lights and a suffocation 
in the throat. He forced his hands under both jaws 
to relieve himself, but part of the blade of the knife 





382 


HISTORY OR PLYMOUTH. 


being above his grip, he separated the carotide artery 
and instantly bled to death. His wife and children 
were in the room at the moment of this unhappy 
accident.” 

1798. —Bartholomew Dunsterville, Mayor. 

1799. —John Arthur, Mayor. Foundation stone of 
the New Market laid May 8th. Piers built at Sutton 
harbour. 

1800. —Philip Langmead, Mayor. The old Guild¬ 
hall taken down, and the present wretched one erected 
from the designs of Eveleigli, 




CHAPTER VIII. 


ANNALS CONTINUED FROM THE YEAR 1800 TO 1871. 

1801. —Thomas Cleather, Mayor. Mutiny and riot 
in the Dockyard. The Lying-in Hospital founded. 

1802. —John Clarke Langmead, Mayor. William 
Elford and Philip Langmead, Members of Parliament. 
Mr. Langmead was the first Mayor elected by the 
Freemen at large in Commom Hall assembled. Act 
of Parliament obtained for embanking the Laira. 

1803. —Edmund Lockyer, Mayor. Millbay-road 
opened. 

1804. —James Elliot, Mayor. 

1805. —John Hawker, Mayor. “ March 22nd.—- 
Died, Lord George Lennox, Governor of Plymouth, 
Colonel of the 28th Regiment of Foot, and only 
brother of the Duke of Richmond.” 

“ April 10th.—Mr. Eastlake, coroner for Plymouth, 
held an inquest on the body of John Rogers, who was 
stabbed by a woman in the left side, just above the 
heart, and died from internal hemorrhage in about 
an hour. The circumstances are nearly as follows :— 
The woman was called Betsy Barber and she coha¬ 
bited with Rogers; but what is remarkable, her 






384 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


husband died the preceding day. The quarrel arose, 
it appeared, from the latter swearing she would go 
to her husband’s funeral in white and blue; but he 
objected to it and said it was indecent. More words 
ensued, when she flew into a violent passion, rose up 
and committed the above rash action. The jury found 
a verdict of Wilful Murder , and she was committed to 
Exeter for trial at the next Assizes. The corpse of 
the husband of Barber and the corpse of Rogers were 
interred in the burial ground, side by side.” 

1806. —Thomas Loekyer, Mayor. Sir Thomas 
Tyrwhitt, Member of Parliament, in room of Philip 
Langmead, and afterwards Sir Charles Morice Pole 
and Sir Thomas Tyrwhitt elected Members of 
Parliament. 

1807. —Thomas Eales, Mayor. Sir C. S. Pole and 
Sir Thomas Tyrwhitt, Members of Parliament. 

1808. —Win. Langmead, Mayor. Catwater moor¬ 
ings laid down by the Earl of Morley. “August 15th. 
Died at Modbury, near Plymouth, at the great age of 
87, and in full possession of his faculties, Mr. William 
Rosdew, who for the last 50 years had lived a total 
recluse, denying himself not only the comforts, but 
almost the necessaries of life. By this extreme penury 
he had amassed a considerable property, a great part 
of which he most liberally distributed among his 
relatives before his death. He was a man of strict 
integrity, and, notwithstanding his love of money, 
scrupulously just in all his dealings. This extraor¬ 
dinary turn of a naturally strong mind is supposed to 





THE ROYAL JUBILEE. 


385 


have arisen from a disappointment in liis affections in 
an early period of his life.” 

In the latter days of 1807 and the first three or 
four months of this year, there were more than 160 
days of successive rain at Plymouth. 

1809.—Joseph Pridham, Mayor. The Public 
Dispensary in Catherine-street built. The proposed 
Plymouth Dock Police Bill—“a bill equally con¬ 
spicuous for absurdity on the one hand and injustice 
on the other”—thrown out by the Commons. 

A meeting held at the Guildhall, September 25th, 
“ for the purpose of affording an opportunity to the 
inhabitants of joining in the general expression of 
joy on the approaching 25th of October, when his 
Majesty will enter into the 50th year of his reign, 
and to consider in what manner the day can be most 
properly celebrated.” At this meeting, among other 
resolutions, it was determined that “ the most proper 
mode would be for the Mayor, Corporation and in¬ 
habitants to attend Divine service, and to present a 
congratulatory address to his Majesty on the happy 
occasion; to have a public dinner at the Guildhall, 
and a ball in the evening at the Assembly Booms; 
a bonfire on the Hoe; and an ox roasted whole and 
given to the populace, and a display of fireworks.” 

“ Thursday, 29tli.—-A grand dinner was given at the 
Guildhall by the Mayor, William Langmead, Esquire. 
Two of the rooms were completely filled by 150 per¬ 
sons at least, who sat down to dinner, amongst whom 
were, besides the Mayor and Commonalty, the Eight 
Hon. Lord Boringdon, his Excellency Admiral Don 

N 






386 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


Pasenal Ruis Hindobre, Governor of Monte Video, 
who arrived here in the Prenava Spanish frigate, 
Colonel Vianna ; also the following officers of the 
Portuguex: Captain Josquin Simoza and Lieutenant 
Morles and Lona; also Captain Joaquin Moyda, of 
the Spanish ship Carolina , Generals Stephens, Thomas, 
and Mercer, Admirals Sutton, Ivelly, and Ivinnier, 
Colonels Cod, Hayne, and Langmead, etc., with the 
field officers of the regiments in garrison; also Mr. 
J. F. Forlade, and many officers of the Portuguese 
cavalry and infantry. Lord Poringdon, for the 
Spanish officers, returned thanks to the company, 
and in the highest terms expressed their satisfaction. 
The most cordial harmony prevailed. The English, 
Spanish, and Portuguese colours were suspended in 
the hall. The band of the late Prince of Wales’s Own 
Royal Volunteers by their airs contributed to enliven 
the scene.” 

1810. —Edmund Lockyer, jun., Mayor. The u Ply¬ 
mouth Public Library” founded at a public meeting 
held November 20th. The manufacture of earthen¬ 
ware commenced. Prince Lucien Buonaparte, with his 
family and suite , landed at the Victualling Office. 
First stone of the Theatre, Royal Hotel, etc., laid by 
the mayor. 

1811. — George Bellamy, Mayor. The Theatre, 
Royal Hotel and Assembly Rooms built by the Cor¬ 
poration. The Laira embankment made. 

1812. —John Arthur, Mayor. Sir Charles Morice 
Pole and Sir Benjamin Bloomfield, Members of Par- 



COMMENCEMENT OF THE BREAKWATER. 


387 


liament. “ Sir Charles Morice Pole, Bart., was a 
descendant of the ancient family of Pole, of Shute, 
in Devonshire, being great-grandson of Sir John Pole 
(the third baronet) and of Anne, youngest daughter 
of Sir William Morice, Ivnt., one of the Secretaries 
of State to Charles the Second. The father of Sir 
Charles was Eeginald Pole, Esq., of Stoke Damerell, 
Devon, who married Anne, second daughter of John 
Erancis Buller, Esq., of Morval, in the County of Corn¬ 
wall. Charles Morice was born at Stoke Damerell, 
January 18th, 1757, was bred to the naval profession 
at the Boyal Academy, Portsmouth, and first went to 
sea with Sir Edward Vernon in 1773. He performed 
gallant services, and ultimately became a Vice- 
Admiral, and was as a spontaneous mark of His 
Majesty’s favour created a Baronet of Great Britain, 
August 18, 1801. He represented Plymouth in Par¬ 
liament for several years. His integrity and ability 
gained the applause of his country. The virtues, good¬ 
ness of heart and urbanity of his manners in private 
life, may be held up as worthy of general imitation.” 

The Plymouth Institution founded, in great measure 
through the exertions of Mr. H. Woollcombe. • The 
meetings were at first held in the Public Library; 
afterwards in the Picture Gallery, Frankfort-place; 
and ultimately the Athenaeum was erected for its 
accommodation. Public Library in Cornwall-street, 
built from the designs of Mr. Eoulston. Until this 
time the collection of books forming the nucleus of 
the Library were kept in a room at the Guildhall. 
The Free School in Cobourg-street built. The Ply¬ 
mouth Breakwater commenced August 12th. 


38 $ 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


1813. —Henry Woollcombe, Mayor. The Exchange 
in Woolster-street built. “ August 23rd.—The new 
Theatre Boyal opened this evening for the first time. 
There were 1,149 persons present, viz.: Boxes, 436 ; 
slips, 151 ; pit, 262 ; gallery, 300; Total, 1,149. 
The receipts were <£152 14$.” The cost of the pile 
of buildings was about £70,000. The plays were 
“As you like it” and “Catherine and Petruchio,” 
the prices being to the boxes 4s., pit 2s. 6c/., gallery 
Is. “The doors to be opened at six, and to begin 
precisely at seven o’clock.” A droll arrangement 
was made for keeping seats as follows: “ Ladies and 
gentlemen are respectfully requested to send their 
servants to keep places at half-past five o’clock.” 

1814. — Sir Diggory Forest, Mayor. “The great 
Frost.—The Falmouth mail coach started from thence 
for Exeter; after having proceeded a few miles was 
overturned without material injury to the passengers. 
With the assistance of an additional pair of horses it 
reached the first stage ; after which all endeavours to 
proceed were found perfectly useless, and the letters 
were sent to Bodmin by the guard on horseback. The 
Falmouth and Plymouth coach and its passengers 
were obliged to remain at Saint Austell. At Ply¬ 
mouth the snow was nearly four feet deep in several 
of the streets.” 

1815. —William Lockyer, Mayor. In July the 
Bellerophon dropped anchor in the Sound, having on 
board the Emperor Napoleon Buonaparte. Here he 
remained several days, and thousands upon thousands 






NAPOLEON BUONAPARTE IN THE SOUND. 


389 


of visitors flocked to the place, and swarmed in boats 
of all kinds upon the Sound, surrounding the ship and 
doing their utmost to obtain a glance at the man who 
had so long been a terror to Europe, but who was 
now a prisoner of war. The Emperor frequently 
came on deck, and placing himself in the gangway 
gratified the curiosity of the crowd. Mr. Charles Lock 
Eastlake, then a young man of promise, and one of 
the most gifted of the many artist-sons of Plymouth, 
sketched the Emperor, and studied him so closely 
from his boat that he produced his celebrated picture, 
which is said to be the best and latest portrait ever 
painted of him. After being at Plymouth, Napoleon 
was transferred from the Bellerophon to the North¬ 
umberland and conveyed to his place of captivity, Saint 
Helena. Mr. Charles Lock Eastlake afterwards be¬ 
came Sir Charles, and was for many years President 
of the Royal Academy. The following is a contem¬ 
porary account of the picture, copied from the 
Plymouth Chronicle of December 26th, 1815 :— 

“ Mr. Eastlake’s grand picture of Buonaparte.—This 
work is executed on a canvas eight feet and a half by 
six feet. It represents Napoleon Buonaparte the size of 
life, as he presented himself at the gangway of II.M.S. 
Bellerophon , when lying in Plymouth Sound, in the 
month of July, 1815. He appears in his most usual 
attitude on that occasion, standing with his left foot 
on an inclined step, about two or three inches above the 
deck, which made him look rather taller than he really 
is. His height, which is exactly given, is about five 
feet six inches; his complexion is that brownish 
yellow so peculiar to the Corsicans, and mixing with 




390 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


his black beard produces what has been called in some 
descriptions “ a clear bronze.” His smile was always 
accompanied with a slight protrusion of the lips, and 
then without this smile, the corners of the mouth 
dropped down. Tho picture represents him with the 
first of these expressions, which in fact he was seldom 
without; there was always a slight degree of grief in 
the brows which seemed habitual, as his smile did 
not dissipate it. In his right hand he holds an opera 
glass, with which he from time to time surveyed the 
surrounding multitude in the boats below him. He 
most frequently appeared with his hat on, but took it 
off by way of salutation, on coming forward and again 
retiring; he wore a small tri-colour cockade in it, 
without any loop or button. His coat, cut in the 
French military fashion, is the uniform of a Colonel of 
Chasseurs, dark green, with red collar and cuffs and 
a red edging to the lappels, etc. Under the coat is 
displayed part of the Cordon of the Legion of Honour, 
of watered red silk. He wears likewise the star of 
the same order. Three small decorations are hung 
from the left lappel of his coat; the small cross of 
the Legion of Honour suspended by a red ribbon; 
the Order of the Beunion, by a blue; and that of 
the Iron Crown, by an orange one, with a green 
border. His small-clothes are whitish kerseymere, 
with a small gold buckle at the knee; white silk 
stockings and a gold buckle in his shoe. Behind him, 
on his right, is Count Poniatowski, uncovered, in the 
uniform of officier cV ordonnance. This officer having 
been separated from Buonaparte sat to the artist for 
his portrait on board the Saint George at Plymouth. 


freemen’s medal. 


301 


Behind Buonaparte, on his left, is Count Bertrand, 
seen in profile and also uncovered, in the uniform of 
a general officer. A marine is on guard at his post 
in the gangway, on Buonaparte’s left. A sailor below 
has just removed the side rope (which hangs on his 
arm) from the ring, and is getting towards the main 
chains, where he always remained till Buonaparte 
retired ; the other rope is hung over the hammock 
railing. An ensign, which is seen on the hulk-head, 
is supposed to have been used for an awning over 
the quarter-deck. The letter S on one of the ham¬ 
mocks indicates the starboard side of the ship.” 

This picture w r as exhibited “at the Picture Gallery, 
Frankfort-place, Plymouth,” at an admission of a 
shilling from 23rd December, 1815. 

To the Mayor, Mr. William Lockyer, during his 
term of office, a gold medal was presented by the 
Freemen of the borough, and has been regularly worn, 
attached to the gold chain of office, by the mayors of 
the borough ever since that time. On the obverse 
is a shield, bearing the arms of Plymouth, a saltire 
between four castles, beneath which on a ribbon is 
the borough motto : “ Turns fortissimo, est nomen 
JehovceT Surrounding the whole is a ribbon, with 
the inscription: “ Usurpatione depressi legibus restituti. 
17 March, 1803.” On the reverse is the inscription 
in 16 lines : “ The Freemen of Plymouth request your 
wearing this medal, to be returned at the expiration 
of your mayoralty, in honourable token of that in¬ 
estimable branch of the British Constitution, Trial by 
Jury; by whose verdict their right to elect a chief 


392 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


magistrate for the borough was restored, after having 
been unjustly withheld for upwards of three centuries.” 
On the exergue is the inscription: “Presented to Wm. 
Lockyer, Esq., in his mayoralty. 1st January, 1816.” 

1816. —Capt, Samuel Pym, Mayor. On removing 
the pulpit in Charles’ Church during alterations, the 
leaden coffins containing the bodies of Capt. Richard 
ICerby and Captain Cooper Wade, who were shot in 
Plymouth Sound for cowardice in the action between 
Penbow and Du Casse, in 1702, were discovered. 
July 28th.—Lord Exmouth sailed from Plymouth to 
attack Algiers, and on the 5th of October passed up 
channel, having accomplished his object. 

1817. —Thomas Miller, Mayor. His Royal Highness 
the Duke of Gloucester arrived in Plymouth, and 
the freedom of the borough was conferred upon him. 
The Grand Duke Michael arrived, attended by Sir 
William Congreve. The Marine-road at the foot of 
the Hoe formed by the poor during the severe winter; 
the funds raised by subscription. Two ships of war— 
the Jasper , sloop, and the Telegraph , schooner— 
wrecked in the Sound. Ebenezer Methodist Chapel 
built. 

1818. —Capt. Richard Arthur, Mayor. The Athe¬ 
naeum of the Plymouth Institution erected from the 
designs of Mr. Eoulston. The first stone was laid 
on the 1st of May, by Mr. IJ. Woollcombe, and the 

building completed in February, 1819. Enion-street 
completed. 






DEATH OF A MISER. 


393 


1819.—George Eastlake, jun., Mayor. Sir William 
Congreve and Sir T. J3yam Martin, Members of 
Parliament. The Freemen’s dinner discontinued. 
Plymouth and Dartmoor Pail way Company incor¬ 
porated by Act of Parliament. The line authorised 
by this Act was from Prince Town to Crabtree, and 
the estimated cost of its construction was £27,783. 
The scheme was first projected and mainly carried 
out by Sir Thomas Tyrwliitt, the engineer being Mr. 
Stuart, the Superintendent of the Plymouth Break¬ 
water. The Athenaeum opened in February. The 
Duke of Wellington visited Plymouth, and was pre¬ 
sented with the freedom of the borough. 

“ Celebrated Miser.—February, 1819. Died lately 
at hotter, near Landrake, Devon, Lieutenant-Colonel 
O’Dogherty, of the Eoyal Marines, one of the most 
eccentric characters of England, who for more than 
20 years occasionally visited Plymouth market on an 
old white horse, lean as Eosinante, whose lank appear¬ 
ance, combined with his own singular habiliments, 
formed together a spectacle of wretchedness fully 
equal to anything described of the celebrated Elwes. 
In his last visit to Plymouth, a few weeks since, he 
seated himself on the steps of the Plymouth Telegraph 
office to eat an apple. His dress then consisted of a 
dirty nightcap round his head, surmounted by the 
poll of an old hat without a brim, a rough waistcoat 
patched all over, greasy leather small-clothes, kept up 
by listing braces outside the waistcoat, with wads of 
straw round the bottom of his legs. In his hand he 
wielded a large hedge stick. Amidst all this seeming 




394 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


penury he possessed some very excellent freehold 
estates in the above parish, well stocked; yet he 
chose to quit the family mansion, and lived in a 
small cottage in the vicinity, without a pane of glass 
in the windows. He nightly entered it by a ladder, 
which he drew after him, and slept in a corner of 
one of the rooms on a wretched pallet.” 

1820.—Eichard Jago Squire, Mayor. Sir W. 
Congreve and Sir T. D. Martin, Members of Parlia¬ 
ment. An additional Act of Parliament passed for 
extending the Plymouth and Dartmoor Eailway from 
Crabtree to Sutton Pool; the estimated cost of the 
additional works was <£7,200. King George IV. 
proclaimed in the market-place, the Guildhall, etc., 
by John Anderson; great rejoicings on the occasion. 

On the arrival of the welcome news of the acquittal 
of Queen Caroline, after the disgraceful trial she had 
undergone, the bells of Saint Andrew’s Church were 
immediately rung, and in the evening the town was 
partially illuminated. The South Devon Militia, 
under Lord Eolle, at Plymouth. On the occasion of 
the coronation of King George IV. a grand procession 
of the Corporation, the military staff, the Freemasons, 
and others, attended Divine service in Saint Andrew’s 
Church; and the charity children and others paraded 
the streets with a champion in armour at their head. 
Upwards of 5,000 persons dined in the market-place; 
also a grand dinner at the Koyal Hotel, at which the 
mayor presided. A bonfire, consisting of 140 tar 
barrels and other inflammable materials, lit on the 
Hoe. The freedom of the borough conferred on 


PLYMOUTH AND DARTMOOR RAILWAY. 


395 


Bishop Carey, on his first visitation. In September 
His Majesty King George the*Fourth being off the 
land in his yacht, great preparations were made for 
his reception on landing, but contrary winds obliged 
him to put back to Milford Haven. The Custom¬ 
house on the Parade erected from designs by Mr. 
Laing. 

“July 28th.—Died at Tolvan (Landrake), in the 
County of Cornwall, near Plymouth, Elizabeth, 
daughter of the late Colonel O’Dogherty (the miser 
alluded to on the previous page), of that place. 
Her death is supposed to be occasioned by the sudden 
shock she received about three weeks before on hearing 
of her cattle being impounded.” 

1821. —Edmund Lockyer, Mayor. The mayor 
erected a large pair of iron gates, with granite posts, 
at the east entrance to the Hoe. Lockyer-street 
opened, leading to the Hoe. General mourning on the 
occasion of the death of H.P.H. Duke of York. An 
additional Act of Parliament passed authorising devia¬ 
tions and alterations in the plan of the Plymouth and 
Dartmoor Pailway, the estimated additional cost being 
£5,000. Mr. Hopkins, of Swansea, appointed engineer 
in place of Mr. Stuart, and under his plan the works 
were carried out. The “Plymouth Philosophical 
Society” held its meetings at the London Inn Assem¬ 
bly Eoom, Foxhole - street, Plymouth. The Eoyal 
Eye Infirmary established. 

1822. —William Adams Welsford, Mayor. “Sep¬ 
tember 23rd.—An immense concourse of spectators 
attended Saint Andrew’s Church at nine o’clock in 




396 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


the morning to witness the first nuptials in that 
church under the new Act.” 

1823.—Captain Nicholas Lockyer, Mayor. April 
12th.—A new Act for paving and lighting obtained. 
The Crescent built. The new reservoir for supplying 
the Victualling Office with water from Plymouth Leat 
begun to be formed. Saint Andrew’s Chapel, near 
the Royal Hotel, consecrated September 26th. An Oil 
Gas Company for lighting the town incorporated. 

“The next presentation to the vicarage of Saint 
Andrew, in this borough, was sold by auction for 
<£5,050. Mr. Hatchard, the bookseller, of Piccadilly, 
was the purchaser,” the Vicar, the Rev. J. Gandy, 
being then in his 83rd year. 

The freedom of the borough presented to the Right 
Hon. George Canning, who attended at the Guildhall 
for that purpose on the 29th of October. The Patent 
of Freedom was presented in a box made of Break¬ 
water marble, mounted with silver, and bore the 
Plymouth arms and the inscription, “The Freedom 
of the Borough of Plymouth to the Right Hon. 
George Canning, Secretary of State for Foreign 
Affairs, etc. Captain Nicholas Lockyer, R.N., Mayor, 
1823.” 

General Mina, “the patriotic Spanish chieftain,” 
landed here from the French brig of war, Le 
Cuirassier , from Barcelona. The general had no 
sooner landed at the Western Pier than he was 
caught up by the people, conveyed to a carriage that 
was waiting, the horses of which were instantly taken 
out, and he was drawn by the populace to the Royal 




PLYMOUTH DOCK CHANGED TO DEVONPORT. 397 


Hotel, and thence the same day, with his suite, took 
up his residence in Durnford-street. 

Charles Buonaparte, Count de Messoens, son of 
Prince Lucien Buonaparte, with his wife (daughter of 
Joseph Buonaparte), and family, put into Plymouth 
through stress of weather, in the Falcon , American 
ship, and remained one night. 

1824.—Edmund Loekyer, Mayor. The works for 
the new Laira Bridge commenced on August 4th. 
The Government reservoir for the Victualling Office 
completed, and tilled for the first time, in the presence 
of the mayor, on the 31st of May. 

On the first day of this year the Town of u Ply¬ 
mouth Dock” threw off not only its allegiance to its 
mother town, Plymouth, but officially took to itself 
the new name of “ Devonport, ” the sanction by 
u letters patent” of the King (George the Fourth) 
liaidng previously been obtained. As by this event 
Plymouth became dissevered from its Dock and a large 
part of its inhabitants, the following contemporary 
account of the proceedings will prove interesting :— 

“Devonport.—On Thursday, the 1st instant, being 
the day chosen for changing the name of Plymouth- 
Dock to that of Devonport, it was celebrated as a day 
of general jubilee. The morning was ushered in by 
merry peals from the bells of the Parish Church and 
Dockyard Chapel, and although the appearance of the 
weather was lowering in the early part, yet before the 
procession moved from the Town Hall, the sun shone 
forth and gave additional life and brilliancy to the 
joyous scene. 





398 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


About 10 o’clock, the company who were to 
form the procession being assembled, proclamation 
for changing the name of the town, preceded by a 
flourish of trumpets, was made by Mr. Rodd, the 
Town Clerk. The health of King George the Fourth 
was then given by the Chairman of the Committee, 
amidst the enthusiastic cheers of thronging inhabitants, 
accompanied by a second flourish of trumpets. 

The procession being marshalled in the manner 
previously arranged, moved off in the following order: 

Peace Officers to clear the way. 

The Crown, mounted on a staff, and carried by an officer. 

Four Silk Flags. 

The Town Beadles, in handsome gold-laced purple cloaks and cocked hats, 
bearing in their hands painted staves, inscribed with “ Devonport,” 
and surmounted by carved and gilded crowns. 

Town Flag, with the word “ Devonport,” in large characters. 

School-boys marching three and three, with 
ten handsomely painted small flags. 

Flags. 

Devonport Amateur Band. 

Trumpeters. 

Flags. 

Mr. Wilmot, Sheriff-Officer, in the Sheriff’s uniform, and a blue silk 
sash, with “ Devonport for ever,” in letters of gold. 

Town-Clerk, in a gown and cocked hat. 

An elegant gilded figure of Fame, sounding a trumpet, 
attended on either side by a trumpeter. 

The Chairman, supported on the right by T. Husband, Esq., the Resident 
Magistrate, and on the left by the High-Constable. 

Churchwardens. 

Overseers of the Poor. 

Surveyors of the Highways. 

Governor of the Workhouse, and Vestry Clerk. 

Surveyor of the Streets, and Assistant Overseer of the Poor. 

Town Commissioners, walking two and two with white staves, decorated 

with laurel leaves. 

Committee of Management, two and two, carrying white staves. 

Flags. 

Royal Marine Band. 

A number of the respectable tradesmen and inhabi¬ 
tants of Devonport, three and three, followed, and 
the rear was closed by a flag, bearing the inscription 
“ Devonport for ever.” 


PLYMOUTH DOCK CHANGED TO DEVONPOKT. 309 


The management of the procession was committed 
to Lieutenant Richardson and Mr. E. Lyne. 

From the Town-IIall the procession passed into 
George-street, and on to the Government Parade. 
Whilst passing the Admiralty-house the band played 
. Rule Britannia , and in front of the Government- 
house, God save the King. On reaching the south¬ 
east barrier the second proclamation was made. It 
then proceeded to the entrance of the town at Cum- 
berland-street, where the ceremony of placing a pillar, 
with u Devonport” in gilded characters on it, took 
place, and the third proclamation was made. A few 
paces from this place was erected, opposite the Crown 
Hotel, a grand triumphal arch ornamented with laurel. 
u Devonport ” in large capitals, as a • transparency, 
formed the arch, and was surmounted by a profusion of 
evergreens and an elegant crown, formed of coloured 
lamps, which in the evening when lighted up presented 
a very brilliant object. Passing under the triumphal 
arch, the procession moved on to Saint Aubyn-street, 
and at the entrance into Fore-street, the fourth pro¬ 
clamation was made. At the north-eastern barrier 
the fifth proclamation took place. The procession then 
proceeded to the Parish Church, from the summit of 
whose ancient tower, which bore the Royal Standard, 
Mr. Rodd again proclaimed His Majesty’s will and 
pleasure, which was distinctly heard by the large 
concourse of spectators assembled round the church. 

On the return of the procession into Fore-street, 
proclamation was again made opposite the Dockyard 
gates ; whence passing through Queen - street, the 
eighth proclamation was given at the Ordnance Gun 


400 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


Wharf gates, and repeated in the middle of the Town- 
square : here the pageant had a very imposing 
appearance. In the centre of the shrubbery, on a 
high mast, waved a handsome Union Flag ; and 
around it floated the numerous silk banners borne in 
the procession. From hence the procession next 
passed down King-street into Catherine-street, and 
when opposite the Market gates, proclamation was 
again made; thence proceeding up James-street, it 
turned into Pembroke-street, at the top of which the 
final proclamation was delivered, when the procession 
returned to the Town Hall, and the doors were thrown 
open to the public. 

The Committee of Management having taken their 
places on the platform, the Chairman returned thanks 
to Lieutenant Eichardson and Mr. Lyne, and all the 
persons who joined in the procession, for their attend¬ 
ance, and in conclusion proposed the national anthem, 
which the band immediately played, joined by the 
voices of the assembly, which had a very pleasing effect. 

During the greater part of the day the shops were 
closed, and the town presented the appearance of a 
general holiday. 

A most liberal supply of porter, given by the 
brewers, was freely distributed to the populace. 
Cakes and fruit had been previously given to the 
children who attended. In the Workhouse every 
individual was regaled with beef, plum-pudding, 
and strong beer. In the morning the Commissioners 
attended, and proclaimed a free pardon for the delin¬ 
quents, who for various offences were confined within 
the walls of the house. 


NEW PAYING AND LIGHTING ACT. 


401 


A sheep was roasted whole at Hewpassage by Mr. 
Bone, of the Ferry Inn, and given to whoever chose 
to partake of it.’ 5 

A dreadful hurricane occurred this year; twenty 
vessels sunk or dismasted in Catwater and several 
lives lost. In Sutton Pool a vessel was sunk and 
another much injured. The Breakwater much 
damaged. A singular and providential escape from 
death is recorded in connection with this storm. A 
vessel laden with cork was capsized at sea, and some 
of the crew washed overboard and lost. The master 
and a passenger, with two of the crew, being below, 
managed to reach the coal-hole, where they remained 
for several hours immersed in water up to their chins. 
The vessel, after having been drifted about for some 
time, struck on the Breakwater and receded ; again 
struck heavily on the Mole, when the hatches were 
knocked off, and the stones having penetrated the 
deck, held her firm. The crew, etc., crept out of their 
hiding place, and finding one of their flags in the 
hold, hoisted it as a signal of distress, which being 
observed by Mr. Eddy, pilot, of Cawsand, he suc¬ 
ceeded in rescuing them, in great peril. The vessel 
soon after went to pieces. 

1825.—William ITenry Hawker, Mayor. The first 
stone of the new Laira Bridge laid on the 16th of 
March, by the Earl of Morley. “The Volunteers’ 
colours deposited in Saint Andrew’s Church, and 
unfurled on the mayor’s entering.” 

An Act of Parliament “ for the better paving, 
lighting, cleansing, watching and improving the Town 


402 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


and Borough of Plymouth, in the County of Devon, 
and for regulating the police thereof, and for removing 
and preventing nuisances and annoyances therein,” 
was this year passed. 

1826. —Captain Eichard Arthur, B.Y., Mayor. Sir 
William Congreve and Sir Thomas Byam Martin, 
Members of Parliament. The Pace Course, Chelson 
Meadow, opened, and the Plymouth and Devonport 
Paces established. The Poyal William Victualling 
Yard commenced. The Pev. Dr. Hawker, Vicar of 
Charles’ Church, died. 

1827. —Captain Pichard Pridham, Mayor. Sir T. 
Byam Martin and Sir William Congreve, Members of 
Parliament. The water supply much improved and 
increased. The small lead pipes by which the water 
was distributed through the principal streets were 
taken up, and replaced by iron ones of larger dimen¬ 
sions. The reservoirs adjoining the Tavistock-road 
were constructed in this and the following years; fire¬ 
plugs were fixed in the streets, and the whole placed 
under an improved management. The “ Freemasons’ 
Hall and Commercial Booms” in Cornwall - street 
erected. The Laira Bridge opened on the 14th of 
July by H.P.H. the Duchess of Clarence, afterwards 
Queen Adelaide, and suite , who were the first to pass 
over it. It was built from the designs of Mr. J. M. 
Bendell. The Camera Obscura fixed on the Hoe by 
Mr. Sampson. A large subterranean cavern, with 
water 43 feet in depth, discovered in the rocks at 
Stoneliouse. The gibbet at Stoke taken down. 




MISS FOOTERS PERFORMANCES. 403 

The Archdukes John and Charles sailed from Ply¬ 
mouth on the Sunday, and “ precisely at the report 
of the first gun announcing their departure,” says 
a quaint writer, “ the officiating minister at Saint 
Andrew’s came to the verse (37, Psalm cv.) i Egypt was 
glad at their departing; for they were afraid of them.’ ” 

1828. —Bichard Freeman, Mayor. The foundation 
stone of the Boyal Union Baths laid on the 29th 
July, by Sir Byam Martin, as proxy for Ilis Majesty 
King William the Fourth. Foundation stone of 
Eldad Chapel laid. Charles’ Chapel in Tavistock-place 
erected from the designs of Mr. Ball. Foundation 
stone of Triggs’ Chapel, Morley-street, laid in January, 
which was opened in October. Hon Miguel at Ply¬ 
mouth. 

His Majesty King William the Fourth (then Duke 
of Clarence) visited Plymouth, and during his stay 
attended a meeting at the Athenaeum, when Mr. 
William Snow Harris (afterwards knighted) delivered 
a lecture illustrating and describing his newly in¬ 
vented lightning conductors, as applied to the pre¬ 
servation of ships. 

Miss Foote, afterwards Countess of Harrington, 
played Miss Borillon in “ Wives as they Were and 
Maids as they Are,” Lady Julia in u Personation,” 
Moggy Me. Gilpin in the “ Highland-Beel,” Lady 
Teazle in n The School for Scandal,” and Zephryna in 
u The Lady and the Devil,” at the Plymouth Theatre. 
Miss Foote was a native of Plymouth. 

1829. — Captain William Furlong Wise, Mayor. 
The Duke de Chartres and suite arrived at Plymouth, 



404 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


and staid at the Eoyal Hotel. Interior of Charles’ 
Church restored. 

1830. —Captain Nicholas Lockyer, Mayor. Briton- 
side widened by taking down buildings near where 
Martin-gate stood, and in other parts. The Eoyal 
Union Baths opened on the 1st of May. November 
9th, H.E.II. the Duke of Sussex elected Lord High 
Steward of the Borough, on the death of King George 
IV. The Barbican-house and gateway taken down. 
Charles’ Chapel opened July 1st. Upwards of 3,000 
Portuguese refugees arrived in Plymouth to avoid 
the tyranny of Don Miguel. The storehouses at 
Coxside were converted into barracks and the re¬ 
fugees provided for by the Portuguese Consul, and 
they were ultimately sent on to the Brazils. Mr. N. 
T. Carrington, the poet, died at Bath, September 8th. 

1831. —Captain Aaron Tozer, Mayor. Sir Thomas 
Byam Martin and Sir George Cockburn, Members of 
Parliament. The Hon. Captain Elliott was an unsuc¬ 
cessful candidate. Much unpleasantness arose at the 
time of this election concerning the rights of new 
Freemen, who had purchased their freedom. James 
Northcote, E.A., the celebrated painter, died July 
13th, aged 85. He left directions in his will for 
monuments to be erected in Saint Andrew’s Church, 
Plymouth, to the memory of himself and of his 
brother, to be executed by Chantrey. 

1832. —George Coryndon, Mayor. John Collier 
and Thomas B. Bewes, Members of Parliament—the 
first members under the then new Eeform Bill. For 




REFORM BILL REJOICINGS. 


405 


Parliamentary purposes, Devonport and Stonehouse 
were this year converted into a borough, and have 
ever since returned two Members to Parliament. 

The freedom of the borough voted to Charles Lock 
Eastlake, P.A., President of the Poyal Academy. The 
Mariners’ Church opened. Ancient British coins dis¬ 
covered at Mount Batten. The Plymouth, Devonport, 
and Stonehouse Pemale Penitentiary opened at Eldad. 

On the 16th of March the Hoe became the scene of 
an immense public assemblage, uniting the Beformers 
of the Three Towns, who met to petition the House 
of Commons “ to withhold its confidence and the 
public supplies from any minister who might not 
support unmutilated and unimpaired” the measure of 
Parliamentary Beform. The meeting was held in 
consequence of the resignation of Earl Grey on the 
question of Beform. 

On the intelligence reaching Plymouth on the 
12th of May that the “Beform Bill” had been 
thrown out of Parliament, “the shops were instantly 
half closed, flags were suspended from ships’ masts 
and house tops, half mast high, and muffled bells 
rung, as expressions of the gravity of the event and 
the public dismay it induced.” On the passing of 
the Beform Bill in June, the demonstrations were 
of a widely different character. The 27th of June 
was fixed upon for celebrating the event, when the 
public buildings and private houses were, with few 
exceptions, elaborately and artistically decorated with 
evergreens, flowers, silk banners, and flags of every 
description; splendid triumphal arches were thrown 
across the streets, and garlands gay and gorgeous were 


400 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


suspended from various eligible elevations.” A pro¬ 
cession of more than 10,000 persons, and more than 
a mile and a half in length, composed of trades of 
the town, distinguished by emblems, devices, models, 
and various emblematical designs, was formed, and 
carried innumerable flags, banners, and devices, and 
the whole of the Three Towns joined in hearty 
demonstrations of joy. The day following this de¬ 
monstration the cholera broke out in Plymouth, and 
from its commencement to its close, no fewer than 
1,798 cases and 696 deaths were reported. Medals 
were afterwards struck and presented to the medical 
men who had distinguished themselves during this 
terrible visitation. 

On the 17th of October there was an extraordinary 
luminous appearance of the western hemisphere, which 
was taken to be a conflagration of the Dockyard. 

1833.—William Hole Evens, Mayor. A valuable 
snuff-box (which was afterwards stolen) presented to 
Pev. John Hatchard for his exertions during the late 
visitation of cholera, and other testimonials presented 
to various surgeons and others. General Saldanah and 
several noted officers in Don Pedro’s service, sailed 
from this port for Oporto. The brig Erin wrecked 
on the Breakwater. A tablet to commemorate the 
passing of the Reform Bill erected on the IToe by 
means of a penny subscription. Foundation stone of 
the new Barbican pier laid. Lord John Russell and 
Lord Ebrington received the freedom of the borough, 
and were entertained, with others, at dinner. 

In August, Plymouth was visited by JI.R.H. the 


THE NUNNERY AT COXSIDE. 


407 


Duchess of Kent and H.R.H. the Princess Victoria, 
our present beloved Queen, who landed at the Dock¬ 
yard, and remained at the Royal Hotel, when an 
address was presented to them by the Corporation. 
During their visit the 89th Regiment was presented 
with new colours by H.R.H. the Princess Victoria. 

1834 and 1835.—John Moore, Mayor. The mayor, 
by His Majesty’s Order in Council, in accordance with 
the Municipal Reform Act, was authorised to continue 
in office till the 1st of January, 1836. On the usual 
day, the Feast of Saint Lambert, 1835, for the choosing 
of the mayor, about twenty Freemen met in Common 
Hall, the mayor as usual taking the chair, when the 
clause of the Bill and the Order in Council were read, 
and the meeting dissolved. Mr. Moore consequently 
held the mayoralty from Saint Lambert’s Feast, 1834, 
to the 1st of January, 1836. 

“ First tin coinage in this town took place in the hall 
in the Exchange, in IVoolster-street, March 25th, 
1834.” Branch Bank of England opened May 1st. 
“ May 28th. The Nunnery at Coxside broken up, and 
the sisterhood, who had been reduced to seven, all 
advanced in years, embarked on board the schooner 
Minerva , for Gravelines in France.” The brig Sarah , 
bound for Quebec, got on shore at the back of the 
Breakwater and went to pieces. The freedom of Ply¬ 
mouth presented to Sir T. Fowell Buxton, M.P. The 
Old Town Conduit removed, and the sculpture, in¬ 
scriptions, etc., built into the wall of the reservoir on 
the Tavistock-road. 

Mr. John Ball, the painter, committed suicide by 



408 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


cutting his throat, in March this year. He was 
unmarried, and was aged 49, but had for some time 
u been in a deranged state of mind.” 

The Prince de Joinville visited Plymouth in the 
Didon , and with his suite remained at the Royal Hotel. 

“ November 20th.—A meeting (the first) of the 
inhabitants of this town held in the Guildhall to take 
into consideration the expediency of constructing a 
railroad from Exeter to this port, in continuation of 
the Great Western and Bristol and Exeter lines. The 
hall was crowded, and £20,000 was subscribed at its 
close.” 

On Saturday, December 26th, 1835, in pursuance of 
the statute, the first election of Town Councillors under 
the Municipal Reform Act took place in the respective 
wards, commencing at 9 a.m. and closing at 4 p.m. 
The first Corporation under the new Municipal Reform 
Act was as follows:—Mayor—Thomas Gill, Esq. 
Aldermen—Messrs. George Pridham, Wm. Eastlake, 
R. Bayly, W. H. Hawker, T. Gill, J. T. Eownes, 
W. H. Evens, R. Eillis, H. Knight, J. Collier, M.P., 
T. W. Fox, and C. Tolclier. Town Councillors.— 
Frankfort Ward —Messrs. J. C. Cookworthy, M.D., 
J. Whiteford, W. Jacobson, Colonel Elliot, E. Bone, 
and IT. M. Gibson. Drake'’s Ward —Messrs. D. Derry, 
J. Shepheard, W. Prance, B. Aldham, G. Erean, and 
J. ~N. Tanner. Charles’ Ward —Messrs. G. Coryndon, 
M. Duncan, J. Cleverton, W. Burnell, S. Rowse, 
and S. Derry. Button Ward —Messrs. W. P. Baldy, 
W. T. Harris, W. H. Hawker, W. Moore, J. Batten, 
and W. Kerswill. Vintry Ward —Messrs. J. King, 
T. W. Fox, W. Mortimer, T. Stevens, M. S. Grigg, 







DEATH OE CHARLES MATHEWS. 


409 


and J. Chalker. Saint Andrew’s Ward —Messrs. R. 
Freeman, W. Rendle, W. Baron, T. Gill, J. Lindon, 
and J. Moore. 

Signor Bertolotto’s exhibition of the Industrious 
Fleas opened in Plymouth, and caused a good deal of 
attraction. 

1836.—Thomas Gill, Mayor, from January 1st to 
November 9th. James King, Mayor, from November 
9th to November 9th, 1837. Mr. Gill took office 
under the Municipal Reform Act on the 1st of January, 
1836, his predecessor, Mr. Moore, having filled it until 
that day. Mr. Gill’s tenure of office was therefore a 
short one. He was succeeded in November by Mr. 
James King, who was elected mayor at the proper 
time fixed under the Municipal Reform Act. John 
Collier and Thomas B. Bewes, Members of Parliament; 
Sir George Cockburn an unsuccessful candidate. The 
u South Devon and East Cornwall Hospital and Ply¬ 
mouth Public Dispensary,” in Sussex-place, erected 
from the designs of Mr. G. Wightwick. The founda¬ 
tion stone laid on the 1st August, by the Rev. John 
Hatchard. 

Charles Mathews, the celebrated comedian, died in 
Plymouth, and was buried in Saint Andrew’s Church. 
He died on his 59th birthday. His funeral was 
attended by the Revs. J. Smith and B. Luney, Sir 
George Magrath, M.D., Mr. J. C. Cookworthy, M.D., 
and Mr. W. Snow Harris, surgeon, who conducted 
the funeral. The pall-bearers were Capt. Ross, C.B., 
J. Moore, Esq., Mayor of Plymouth, Capt. Hornby, 
C.B., Major Symons, Major Harvey Smith, and Col. 




410 HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 

C. Hamilton Smith. Mr. Charles Mathews, son of 
deceased, followed as chief mourner, accompanied by 
H. Gyles, Esq., Captain Tincombe, B.H., and Messrs. 
Franklin, Brady, Jacobson, and Wightwick, besides 
numerous other friends and admirers of the deceased, 
and the procession was closed with the carriages of 
Major-General Sir Willoughby Cotton and Admiral 
Sir William Hargood. The funeral service was per¬ 
formed by the Bev. J. C. Smith. Mathews died at 
his lodgings in Lockyer-street, where he had been 
remaining some time on account of his health. 

“ March 12th. — Calamitous fire in the Plymouth 
Citadel, at the residence of Fort-Major James Watson, 
in the south-west part of the Citadel, when Fort- 
Major Watson, with two of his daughters, fell a 
sacrifice to the devastating element. Their bodies 
were found together about an hour after the fire had 
been subdued.” 

July 4th.—The first Quarter Sessions for the 
Borough of Plymouth held under the provisions of 
the Hew Municipal Act, and the first appearance of 
the learned Becorder, William Carpenter Bowe, Esq. 
July 15th.—The new road leading from Plymouth to 
Saltash opened. July 16th.—A most alarming fire 
broke out about midnight in Treville-street, by which 
three houses, as well as Mr. Creagh’s curriery, and 
a hatter’s house behind, were burnt to the ground. 

“August 2nd. — The ceremony of perambulating 
the bounds of the borough observed by the mayor 
and municipal authorities. The Members of the 
Council breakfasted with the mayor at his house, 
from thence started about 10 o’clock to go round the 







INCORPORATION OF DEVONPORT. 


411 


boundaries of the borough, attended by the sergeant- 
at-mace, constables, etc. On the return of the party, 
the mayor proceeded to the Barbican and Fisher’s 
Nose, where he witnessed the landing of one of the 
Charity School boys, giving him the usual 1 box under 
the ear’ and a ‘half-a-crown’ to refresh his memory, 
if ever he should be called on to give evidence as to 
the bounds of the borough; from thence they pro¬ 
ceeded to the Hoe, and returned to the Guildhall, 
when the ‘ Freedom Boys ’ had their usual glass of 
wine to drink the mayor’s health, and a large bun to 
take home.” 

November 29th.—The town and neighbourhood 
visited by a very severe storm—the wind blowing 
terrifically from the south to west—several ships in the 
Sound and harbour parted their cables and dragged 
their anchors. One vessel, the City of Edinburgh , a 
fine barque, 400 tons, drifted towards the land; when 
within three cables’ length the captain had the masts 
cut away. This relieved her; she brought up, and 
rode out the gale. Both the churches were injured. 
Charles’ Church had a portion of the roof displaced, 
and 108 panes of glass broken, and most of the other 
public buildings were also injured. It was perilous to 
be in the streets—tiles, slates, bricks, and stones falling 
in every direction for more than a quarter of an hour. 

A public meeting held for considering the estab¬ 
lishing of a locomotive steam carriage on the public 
road from Plymouth to Devonport. 

A daring attempt to escape from the borough gaol 
made by three prisoners. 

The Borough of Devonport incorporated. The 




412 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


charter was received on the 8th of October by Mr. 
Abbott, the nominated returning officer, and having 
been produced to a public meeting next day was 
proclaimed round the town. Devonport was the first 
town to apply for a charter under the Municipal 
Reform Act. 

The schooner Alban struck on the Breakwater in a 
gale of wind and subsequently took fire, and the 
whole cargo and vessel were completely destroyed. 
The captain’s wife and child lost their lives under 
very distressing circumstances. 

1837.—William Hole Evens, Mayor. John Collier 
and Thomas B. Bewes, Members of Parliament. Sir 
George Cockburn and the Hon. P. Blackwood, unsuc¬ 
cessful candidates. 

This year the Town of Devonport, with Stoke 
Damerel, including Morice Town and Stoke, was 
incorporated by Act of Parliament, and became a 
municipal borough. It was divided by this Act into 
six wards, viz., Morice Ward, Saint Aubyn Ward, 
Saint John’s Ward, Clowance Ward, Tamar Ward, 
and Stoke Ward, and is governed by a Mayor, 12 
Aldermen, and 36 Councillors, with a Recorder, a 
Town Clerk, and other officers. The first Mayor was 
Edward Saint Aubyn, Esq., on which occasion the 
Corporation mace was presented by Sir John Saint 
Aubyn. 

A heavy gale of wind, with fall of snow, occurred 
in February, by which very considerable damage was 
done to many houses in the town. The Thetis , of 
Liverpool, struck on the Breakwater and became a 


MAJORITY OF PRINCESS VICTORIA. 


413 


total wreck. On the 25th February, the tide rose 
higher than it had done since the heavy gale of 1824, 
and the whole of the lower parts of the town and the 
Union-road were inundated, the water in many in¬ 
stances being several feet deep in the houses, and 
boats were used in the streets. Much damage was 
done to the Breakwater, and to the docks, quays, etc. 
A singular circumstance occurred this year. “A poor 
woman bought an old petticoat of a pawnbroker in 
Plymouth, and on reaching home found it was too 
long for her. She then began to alter it, and found 
in doing so no less than a hundred <£5 notes stitched 
up in it.” 

“ May 24th.—This being the birthday of the heiress 
presumptive to the throne, and the period when Her 
Eoyal Highness Princess Victoria attained her majority, 
was generally observed as a holiday. The bells of 
both churches rang a merry peal throughout the day. 
Flags were hoisted at the Guildhall and other public 
establishments. The Town Council of this Borough 
met and voted an address to Her Eoyal Highness. 
The day was closed with a display of fireworks on the 
Hoe. May 29th.—The King’s birthday was observed 
with every demonstration of loyalty and attachment 
The bells rang merrily throughout the day. In 
the evening fireworks were let off on the Hoe and 
also at Bovisand. June 9th. — The congratulatory 
address of the Town Council to Princess Victoria 
presented by a deputation, consisting of the Mayor, 
Eecorder, and the two Members for the Borough, who 
were most graciously received. 

June 21st.—The melancholy intelligence of the death 






414 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


of King William IV. was received at Plymouth by the 
Brunswick steamer at half-past 2 p.m., and the news 
becoming generally known, the tradesmen throughout 
the town partially closed their shops, the vessels in 
the port lowered their flags half-mast high, the 
1 minute gun’ was fired from the shipping and the 
batteries, and the church bells tolled throughout the 
remainder of the day. Official communications were 
brought the same evening by the mail to the authorities 
of the port, at Devonport, announcing the demise of 
His Majesty. The Port Admiral immediately shifted 
his flag to the Royalist , lying in Hamoaze, and the 
Eoyal Standard was hoisted half-mast high on board 
the guard-ship and shipping in the harbour. Shortly 
after 5 o’clock p.m. the Royal Adelaide , which had 
been painted black (the news having arrived three 
hours before by the Brunswick steamer, allowed time 
for the preparation), with her yards topped up and 
down, commenced firing 72 4 minute guns,’ being the 
number of years of His Majesty’s life. This being 
concluded 30 minute guns were fired from the battery 
on Mount Wise, followed by 30 from the Citadel, and 
60 from the battery in Mount Edgcumbe. Thousands 
of spectators were collected on Mount Wise, Devon¬ 
port, and feelings of deep sorrow seemed to pervade 
the multitude universally. June 22nd.—The Eoyal 
Standard was hoisted full mast high on all the stations 
and ships in harbour in honour of the accession of 
Queen Victoria, and the Royal Adelaide fired a 
double royal salute in celebration of the event. The 
Citadel, the battery on Mount Wise, the battery in 
Mount Edgcumbe, and H.M.S. Ringdove , also fired 



PROCLAMATION OP QUEEN VICTORIA. 


415 


royal salutes of 21 guns. The same morning a special 
meeting of the Devonport Board of Commissioners 
was held to decide the best mode of publicly recog¬ 
nising the authority of Her Majesty in that borough. 
A committee was appointed to carry out the proceed¬ 
ings. The inhabitants were invited to attend at the 
Town Hall at 5 p.m. A little before 6 p.m. a proces¬ 
sion was formed in front of the hall. When Mr. Rodd 
read the proclamation, the procession moved in the 
following order :—Standard Bearer; Constables of the 
Parish; High Constable; Beadles of the Borough; 
Clerk to the Board of Commissioners; Churchwardens; 
Board of Surveyors; Commissioners and Inhabitants 
of the Town, bearing white wands. At the Dock¬ 
yard, the procession was met by the officers and 
workmen, and the same forms being gone through, 
the call of “ God save the Queen” was responded to 
by hearty cheers. The same ceremonies were repeated 
at the Gun Wharf, Town Barriers, at Stoke Church, 
at Mount Wise, and in several of the principal streets.” 
u June 23rd.—Her Most Gracious Majesty Victoria I. 
proclaimed in Plymouth. A procession, composed as 
follows, started from the Guildhall at 4 o’clock:— 
Two Police Officers; the Band; the Corporation Flag; 
the Superintendent of Police; two Inspectors; two 
Trumpeters on horseback; the Town Clerk on horse¬ 
back ; Surveyor to the Corporation; the Sergeants-at- 
Mace; the Mayor, Magistrates and Clergy, two and 
two ; the Members of the Town Council, two and two ; 
Inhabitants of the Borough, two and two; Policemen 
on both sides. The proclamation was read by Charles 
Wliiteford, Esq., the Town Clerk, at the following 




416 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


places:—At tlie Guildhall, on the Parade, opposite 
the Post-office, centre of the Market, and corner of 
the Eoyal Hotel, followed by the loudest cheers, 
huzzas, and cries of 4 Long live the Queen,’ emanating 
from the thousands who thronged the various quarters 
of the town, the band playing the national anthem. 
The weather was delightfully fine, and the streets 
through which the procession passed appeared as a 
living mass.” 

“July 8 th.—This being the day when the remains 
of the late Sovereign were interred at Windsor, it was 
observed here with great solemnity. Business was 
entirely suspended during the day, the shops and 
public establishments being completely closed, and a 
solemn knell was tolled from the various churches 
in the town. James King, Esq., the Eight Worship¬ 
ful the Mayor, and other Magistrates of the Borough, 
accompanied by many Members of the Council, pre¬ 
ceded by the Sergeants-at-Mace, carrying the maces, 
which were covered with crape, went in due form to 
Saint Andrew’s Church, where Divine service was 
performed. An appropriate sermon was preached by 
the Eev. J. Hatchard from 46th Psalm. The church 
was crowded. The ceremony at the Jews’ Synagogue 
on this mournful day was very impressive. This 
building was also crowded. At Devonport the day 
was observed with every mark of solemnity. The shops 
were universally closed, and every kind of business 
not absolutely necessary was suspended. At 11 o’clock 
a.m. the troops, consisting of the Eoyal Artillery and 
Eoyal Marines, the depots of the 20th, 32nd, 36th, 
37th, 43rd, and 99th Eegiments were assembled at 




FUNERAL OF KING WILLIAM IV. 


417 


Mount Wise, where Divine service was performed in 
the open air by the Rev. H. Hennah, Chaplain of the 
Garrison, who preached from John xi. 11. The service 
commenced by the Marine Band playing the Dead 
March in Saul. The scene was one of the most 
sublime and impressive description. The troops were 
drawn up in the form of a hollow square, with their 
arms reversed. Major-General Ellice was present with 
his staff, and a number of the inhabitants also joined 
reverentially in the service. Divine service was also 
performed in the Dockyard Chapel in the morning by 
the Rev. Mr. Briggs, and at the other churches and 
chapels in the evening. Soon after 5 o’clock p.m. 
H.M.S. Pembroke lying in the Sound, commenced firing 
30 minute guns, and was followed by the Citadel, Saint 
Nicholas’ Island, the battery on Mount Edgcumbe, 
the platform on Mount Wise, and the Royal Adelaide 
guard-ship, firing 30 guns each—in all 180 guns. 
The troops in the Citadel paraded there, whilst the 
firing took place, resting on their arms reversed; those 
at Stonehouse, on the hill, whilst the guns of Saint 
Nicholas’ Island were firing; and those at Devonport, 
on the Government Parade, during the firing at Mount 
Wise.” July 9th.—A number of soldiers forming 
the left wing of the British Auxiliary Legion, serving 
in the Queen of Spain’s cause, arrived in Plymouth. 

August 16th—A public meeting of the inhabitants 
of the borough held to consider the propriety of pre¬ 
senting an address of congratulation to Her Majesty 
Queen Victoria, and also an address of condolence 
to the Queen Dowager. A committee was appointed, 
and addresses prepared and presented. 


0 



418 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


September 8th.—Freedom-day observed with all the 
ancient custom. The Members for the Borough, with 
the Mayor and Town Council, accompanied by a large 
number of the inhabitants in carriages and on horse¬ 
back, visited the bounds of the borough, where the 
usual formalities took place. 

1838.—George W. Soltau, Mayor. May 2nd.— 
The Superintendent of Police’s office in the Guild¬ 
hall broken into early in the morning, when 17 
sovereigns, two silver spoons, and other articles 
which had been placed in the office for safe 
custody were stolen. The superintendent’s coat was 
also taken from the offices, but left on the premises 
behind the Guildhall. At a meeting of the Town 
Council held on the 16th May, in reference to the 
alleged robbery, and after a careful and minute inves¬ 
tigation connected with the same, the Council were of 
opinion that no forcible entry on the premises were 
ever made; they therefore thought it their duty no 
longer to retain the Superintendent of Police in their 
service. May 17th.—This being the day set apart for 
the celebration of the birth of Her Majesty Queen 
Victoria, was observed with all the demonstrations of 
loyalty. The morning was ushered in by the ringing 
of bells, etc., and the Eoyal Standard was hoisted at 
all the public establishments; the ships in port were 
also gaily dressed in colours. The troops in garrison, 
with the Eoyal Marines and Eoyal Artillery, assembled 
at Mount Wise in review order, and at 12 o’clock 
fired a feu de joie. The ships in commission also fired 
royal salutes. . May 27th.—A fatal accident, attended 





CORONATION OF QUEEN VICTORIA. 


419 


with the loss of two lives, occurred on hoard the 
lloyal Adelaide , guard-ship in Hamoaze, in conse¬ 
quence of the Meteor steamer running foul of her, 
by which the latter’s spanker-boom was forced out of 
the saddle, and falling upon the deck so dreadfully 
wounded Mr. T. Lewis, mate, and Mr. J. Jones, 
quarter-master, that the latter expired on his way to 
the Naval Hospital, and the mate shortly after. 

June 11th.—A private belonging to the 29th 
Begiment drummed out. The ceremony was per¬ 
formed in the presence of his comrades and a number 
of spectators. The regiment formed open line on the 
parade in the Citadel, and the culprit, having his 
facings cut from his regimentals, was led by one of 
the men, with a rope fastened round him, down the 
line to the Garrison gates, the drums beating the 
“rogue’s march,” and at the entrance of the barriers 
he was discharged from the corps as being unworthy 
to bear the name of a soldier. 

Great rejoicings on occasion of the coronation of Her 
Majesty Queen Victoria. At the great state coronation 
banquet the saltcellar presented by the Town of 
Plymouth to King Charles the First was used. 
“ Among the mass of valuables in the Crown jewel- 
house at the Tower, London, there are only two 
presents, both of which are from the County of Devon. 
The first is a wine fountain, three feet high, and used 
at the late coronation banquet, which was presented 
by the Corporation of Plymouth to Charles I.; the 
second, a saltcellar, model of the White Tower. It is 
about 18 inches high, a most splendid jewel, and was 
presented by the people of Exeter to William III.” 


420 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


u June 28th.—The celebration of the coronation of 
Her Majesty Queen Victoria was observed with every 
possible demonstration of loyalty in this town. The 
whole mass of the inhabitants appeared to be actuated 
with one spirit—a determination to display their attach¬ 
ment to the throne and loyalty to their Sovereign. 
The morning was ushered in by peals from the 
bells of both churches, which was continued at 
intervals throughout the day. The whole of the town 
was most tastefully decorated with flags of various 
descriptions, evergreens, ribbons, etc.; and at the 
various public buildings the Eoyal Standard was 
displayed. The tower of Saint Andrew’s Church 
had a very imposing appearance, a line of flags 
having been extended from its summits to the tree 
in the churchyard. The Mayor, Magistrates, several 
Members of the Town Council, and many of the 
respectable inhabitants assembled at the Guildhall 
shortly after 10 o’clock, and at half-past ten pro¬ 
ceeded to Saint Andrew’s Church in due form, the 
mayor being preceded by the officers carrying the 
maces. The Eev. J. H. C. Borwell, the Corporation 
lecturer, read the prayers; and a sermon suitable for 
the occasion was preached by the Vicar, the Eev. J. 
Hatchard, text 1st Tim. ii. 1, 2. Divine service was 
also performed at Charles’ Church, Aorley Chapel, 
and many other places of worship in the town. About 
11 o’clock the children of the various schools, about 
3,000 in number, assembled on the Hoe, and were 
arranged under the direction of Mr. Coath, who 
undertook the task by desire of the committee— 
their stations being according to the seniority of the 



CORONATION OF QIJEEN VICTORIA. 


421 


respective schools. Their appearance on the Hoe, 
with their various banners, many of which were 
very splendid, having been provided expressly for 
the occasion, had a most animating and gratifying 
appearance. Thousands of persons were assembled 
on the spot to witness the proceedings. About 12 
o’clock the mayor, accompanied by a number of 
gentlemen, having arrived on the Hoe, the children 
sang the national anthem, accompanied by the band. 
The procession was then re-formed in the following 
manner:—The Band; the Town Sergeants, with the 
three gold maces; the Mayor, in his robes, wearing the 
gold chain and other paraphernalia of office; the Magis¬ 
trates ; Gentlemen of the town, two and two; the 
Schools : Hele and Lanyon, Hospital of Poor’s 
Portion, Grey School, Batter-street School, Free 
School, Ebenezer Sunday School, Salem-street Chapel 
School, Bethel School, Saint Andrew’s Chapel School, 
Eehoboth School, West Hoe School, Eldad School, 
Charles’ Chapel School, National School, Willow- 
street Chapel School, and Bible Christian School; 
many gentlemen aiding the masters by walking by 
the side of the children to protect them from the 
crowd. The procession proceeded from the Hoe, down 
Lockyer-street, through George-street, Bedford-street, 
Old Town-street, and on to the Market-gate in Brake- 
street, and though the whole line was densely crowded 
with spectators, nothing could exceed the good order 
manifested throughout. On entering the market-gate 
each school was conducted to the tables appointed 
for it. The children being seated, grace was sang, 
the band playing the Old Hundredth Psalm. The 


422 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


children commenced their dinner, when the public 
were admitted to witness the interesting spectacle. 
The market was soon crowded, and every person 
seemed highly gratified with the manner in which 
the whole affair had been conducted, the tables being 
bountifully supplied with prime joints of roast and 
boiled beef, legs of mutton, bread, potatoes, etc., and 
in addition each child was allowed half-a-pound of 
plum-pudding. At the close, grace was sang; the 
Queen’s health was given ; the national anthem 
was again sung, and the children retired in due 
order to their respective schools. The children of 
the Orphan Asylum, Saint Andrew’s Church Sunday 
School, Household of Faith, and Horlcy-street Sunday 
School, dined in the Market, though they did not join 
in the procession. While the young were dining 
in one part of the Market, 154 aged persons were 
regaled with good old English fare in another part, 
provided by the butchers, aided by some respectable 
inhabitants of the town, for the aged women in the 
Market, designated ‘Basket Women,’ and to such others 
as were provided with tickets by the subscribers. 
About 1 o’clock the bidden guests took their seats, 
and, shortly after, 15 superior dishes were placed before 
them, consisting of an excellent round, a rump, and 
other best cuts of beef, a large leg of pork, several 
legs and shoulders of mutton, etc., the whole with 
suitable vegetables being served up hot. Each person 
had half a pint of strong beer and a penny loaf. The 
first dishes being removed, 10 dishes of very excellent 
plum-pudding took their place, and each guest was 
supplied with a good slice. On the table being 


CORONATION OF QUEEN VICTORIA. 


423 


cleared 30 gallons of prime strawberries were divided 
among the bappy group. An old woman 83 years 
of age, named Maria Higden, who had been upwards 
of 36 years a basket woman in Plymouth Market, 
presided on the occasion, and was supported on her 
right by another woman 90 years old. The vice- 
president was a man named Charles Spragg, 94 years 
of age. He had been 34 years in the employ of 
Messrs. Dickers and Warwick. The chair for the 
lady president was kindly lent by Mr. Paddon, and 
was said to be upwards of 200 years old. The united 
ages of those who partook of this benevolent repast 
(among whom were seven aged men) amounted to 
9,424 years, averaging nearly 64 years. After singing 
the national anthem, and giving three times three 
cheers for their youthful Sovereign, the participators 
left the Market, gratefully acknowledging the kind¬ 
ness of their benefactors. Mr. James Cuddeford, 
butcher, was the originator of this spirited act, and 
the entire management devolved on him. The porters 
who worked on the Parade had a dinner provided for 
them, and those employed on Sutton Wharf were 
equally fortunate, dining together on the quay. Mr. 
Lindon gave the whole of the men in his employ a 
substantial dinner in one of his buildings. Messrs. 
Tanner, acted in a similar liberal spirit towards their 
workmen, by causing a dinner to be provided for 
them at Mr. Avery’s White Lion Inn, in Old Town. 
Mr. Eardley, of Bedford-street, gave the persons in 
his employ a dinner of roast beef and plum-pudding, 
and after the dinner a jug measuring five feet in cir¬ 
cumference, and holding 14 gallons, was placed on the 


424 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


table, filled with prime strong ale, from which they all 
drank £ Health and long life to the Queen.’ The resi¬ 
dents of the Almshouses, under the management of the 
Workhouse, were given a sufficient sum to furnish 
them with a dinner; and the inmates of the Work- 
house were feasted with a good dinner and a cup of 
strong beer to drink Her Majesty’s health. The 
children of Hele and Lanyon’s and Lady Eoger’s 
Schools had dinner provided for them on the occasion 
at their respective schools, the trustees not wishing 
them to dine in the Market; and the Baptist and 
Unitarian Sunday School children not joining in 
the procession were also regaled at the cost of the 
respective congregations. The men employed in 
Messrs. Stanford’s Glass Manufactory at Millbay went 
in procession through the principal streets of the 
Three Towns in the following order:—A band of 
musicians; a banner, bearing on the one side the 
representation of the exterior, and the other the 
interior, of the Glass-House at Millbay ; guards on 
horseback, bearing battle-axes made of twisted and 
cut glass; a royal crown of massive cut glass, orna¬ 
mented with bead work, and imitation jewels of 
stained glass, placed on a cushion of crimson velvet, 
borne by a glass-maker ; two boys bearing glass 
wands, surmounted by glass doves; a radiant star of 
richly cut glass, borne by a glass-worker, supported 
on right and left by boys bearing glass wands, 
surmounted by garlands of cut glass; a large globe 
of flint glass, threaded with pearl - coloured semi¬ 
transparent enamel, borne by a glass-worker, and 
supported on the right and left by boys bearing glass 


CORONATION OF QUEEN VICTORIA. 


425 


wands, surmounted by miniature crowns of cut glass; 
a glass barrel, surmounted by a cut glass drinking 
vessel and a crown, the barrel ornamented with stripes 
of milk-white enamel, borne by a glass-worker, and 
supported on the right and left by boys bearing glass 
wands, surmounted by glass feathers; a glass bellows, 
ornamented and enamelled, borne by a glass-worker, 
and supported on the right and left by boys bearing 
glass wands, surmounted by wreaths; a cut glass 
basket, richly ornamented and filled with flowers, 
borne by a glass-worker, and supported on both sides 
by boys bearing ornamental wands; a crown and 
sceptre, of richly cut glass, placed on a cushion of 
crimson velvet, and borne by a glass-worker, and 
supported as before; a glass globe, ornamented and 
supported as before ; decanters and wine glasses, of 
superior festoon patterns, richly cut, and placed on a 
crimson velvet cushion, borne by a glass-worker, and 
supported by boys bearing ornamental wands. The 
men wore glass hats, which had a very imposing 
effect—a novelty never witnessed in Plymouth before. 
The procession was greatly admired. About 5 
o’clock a large party of the most influential persons 
of the town, presided over by the Eight Worshipful 
the Mayor, sat down to dinner at the Royal 
Hotel. A very brilliant display of fireworks on the 
Hoe closed the interesting proceedings of the day; 
many of the pieces were exceedingly brilliant, and 
the rockets were very fine. The Hoe was densely 
crowded for many hours. Several tradesmen and 
other inhabitants had very beautiful transparencies 
and illuminations on the occasion. Business was 



426 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


suspended during the whole day, and the town 
assumed a gaiety seldom if ever equalled.” 

July 16th.—The Sirius steam-ship, Captain S. S. 
Mould, arrived in this port from New York; accom¬ 
plished the passage in 15 days 12 hours, a distance 
of 3,200 miles; she brought the mail, containing about 
3,000 letters and newspapers. July 30th.—A meeting 
of the burgesses of the borough held at the Mechanics’ 
Institute, (897 burgesses said to be present) to protest 
against the very large and rapidly increasing expendi¬ 
ture of the Municipal Council, and that a daily police 
was inexpedient. Eight resolutions were passed con¬ 
demning the acts of the Council, and urging extensive 
curtailment in expenditure. 

August 4th.—A monument to the memory of the 
late comedian, Charles Mathews, erected in Saint 
Andrew’s Church, from a chaste design in the Gothic 
style, furnished by Mr. Wight wick, executed by Mr. 
Brown, of Stonehouse. August 28th.—Meeting of the 
' Town Council at the Guildhall, when the resolutions 
passed at a meeting of the burgesses held at the 
Mechanics’ Institute, 30th July, was duly considered; 
occupying six hours and a half in discussion, which 
resulted in resolutions being passed expressing the 
Council’s opinion, that there were no grounds for 
the apprehensions expressed, and that the abolition 
of the day police would not be productive of the 
saving contemplated; but was necessary for efficiency 
and good order. August 31st.—A grand display of 
fireworks in the Plymouth Market, by Mr. Hanna- 
ford. September 20th.— Funeral of Sir William 
Elliott, (who died in command of H.M.S. the Royal 







I 


* 


LOSS OF LIFE IN THE SOUND. 427 

Adelaide) whose remains were interred in the burial 
ground attached to Maker Church; the highest 
military honours being observed. 

“November 7th.—A distressing calamity took place 
in this port, by the upsetting of a boat in the Sound, 
when 20 men were drowned. This heart-rending 
affliction turned out to be very gloomy indeed, for 
not less than 49 children were left fatherless, and 
16 widows bereaved of the assistance of their natural 
protectors. The unfortunate individuals were in the 
employ of the Government on the Breakwater works; 
it being their pay-day, nearly the whole of the men 
in the employment left the Chatham hulk in three 
pinnaces for Cat water, two of the boats starting a 
short time before the third, the wind blowing a gale 
from the S.W., and a strong sea running. Each of 
the boats had a lugg sail set; but unfortunately, just 
as the second boat neared the Cobler Buoy, where 
the swell was very heavy from the conflux of the 
tides, she turned over, and every man in her was 
lost before assistance could be rendered. The acci¬ 
dent was first seen at the Citadel. The moment the 
news was known at the Pier, two boats put off, one 
belonging to Messrs. Hawker, and the other to Messrs. 
Treeby, but were too late to render any aid. A 
public meeting was held in connection with this great 
calamity; a committee was formed, subscriptions were 
opened for the benefit of the bereaved, and the sum 
subscribed amounted to £1,375 7 s. 10 d” “ November 
27th.—H.M. ship Inconstant arrived from Quebec, 
and anchored in the Sound, having on board th§ Earl 
and Countess of Durham and their suite ; Lord 



428 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


Durham arrived in this port from Canada, having 
resigned the post of Governor General. Public 
meetings were held both in Plymouth and Devonport, 
by requisitions to the mayors, when addresses of con¬ 
gratulation were drawn up and presented to the 
earl.—November 27th, 28th, and 29th, very severe 
gales of wind experienced in this port, blowing 
violently from E. to S. A schooner in crossing the 
Sound missed stays, and was obliged to let go her 
anchor just off the Citadel; she dragged her anchor 
and struck on the rocks, and in a few minutes was a 
total wreck. A brig also came into the port from the 
western end of the Breakwater about 2 p.m. at the 
most terrific part of the gale; she came to between 
the Island and the main and let go her anchor, but 
she unfortunately was not far enough to the west; she 
immediately drifted, proceeding gradually towards 
the shore, and in less than half an hour she was a 
wreck. She ran a-ground near the Rusty Anchor, 
only a few yards from the shore. One of the men in 
endeavouring to jump on shore lost his life. The 
Harpy , cutter, Mr. Grundy, chief officer, lying in 
Millbay, seeing the dreadful situation of the seamen 
put off with his boat’s crew of four hands, and, suc¬ 
ceeded in taking off the men, and landing them at 
Gill’s Quay. 

December 21st.—The Eddy stone examined by Mr. 
Burgess, Engineer, and a member of Trinity Board, 
in consequence of a report having been circulated 
that the Stone had sustained great damage during 
the late storm, but it was found that it had not 
received the slightest injury. 




CHOLEEA IN PLYMOUTH. 


429 


1839. —Joseph Collier Cookworthy, M.D., Mayor. 
Great rejoicings in Plymouth on account of the 
marriage of the Queen. 

Plymouth and the neighbourhood were this year 
visited with the cholera, which carried off a large 
number of the inhabitants. Prom the 15th of June, 
when the first case of cholera appeared, to the 24th 
of September, when the last was reported, the total 
number of cases in Plymouth alone was 1,805, and 
the number of deaths from cholera alone 702. 

January 22nd.—An accident occurred in the Sound 
by which four persons lost their lives by the upsetting 
of a boat. There were five left Catwater in a boat on 
a gull shooting expedition, and when outside Bovisand 
pier the boat struck on a rock below the surface, 
and very soon sank; the youngest of the party, A. 
S. Stuart, clung to the mast of the boat, and was 
saved; the others were drowned. 

May 31st.—A large Chartists’ meeting on the Hoe. 
Mr. Petrie presided, and Mr. Richardson, a delegate 
from the National Convention, addressed the meeting, 
speaking for nearly two hours. 

November 12th.—A public meeting of the in¬ 
habitants was held at the Guildhall to receive a 
communication from T. Gill, Esq., expressive of his 
intention to apply to Parliament to sanction the 
erection of a pier at Millbay. 

1840. —J. C. Cookworthy, M.D., again Mayor. A 
destructive fire occurred in Devonport Dockyard. 

January 5th.—The new steam-ship President was 
brought into this port by the Dublin Company’s 





430 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


steamer Royal William , who fell in with her off the 
Start in a very disabled state. She was at that time 
one of the most stupendous pieces of naval architec¬ 
ture of the day, built on purpose to run between 
London and New York; she was on her way from 
London to Liverpool for her engines, machinery, etc., 
and being very light and having encountered a very 
heavy sea became unmanageable. She was placed 
alongside the Sheer Hulk in Hamoaze, and her damage 
repaired by the artificers of the dockyard. January 
9th.—The Earl of Saint Germans met with an accident. 
while on board the President , by falling down one 
of the hatchways. He was conveyed to the Admiral’s 
house and shortly after left for Saint Germans. 

u February 6th.—A public meeting convened by 
the mayor to take into consideration the most appro¬ 
priate mode of celebrating the approaching marriage 
of Her Majesty the Queen. February 7th.—H.M. 
schooner Skipjack , Lieut. Wright, brought into this 
port the Portuguese brigantine Ulysses , slaver, with 
529 slaves on board. She was captured off the Isle 
of Pines, after a chase of 12 hours. The master 
ultimately made for the shore, with the intention 
of running her high and dry, in which he partly 
succeeded. The master’s name was Fernandez, a 
Portuguese, who escaped with 13 passengers, taking 
with him, as was ascertained by documents left on 
board, 8,000 dollars. The 500 slaves were landed 
and taken to the barracks; they were robust, 
muscular, and perfectly docile. 55 “ February 10th.— 
The Queen’s nuptial day was observed in this 
borough with the usual demonstrations of loyalty 




MARRIAGE OE QUEEN VICTORIA. 431 

which characterize the public rejoicings of its in¬ 
habitants. The clay was observed as a general 
holiday. All business was suspended, but there were 
no processions on account of the unsettled state of 
the weather. Many large dinner parties were formed 
at the various hotels, when the toast of 1 The Queen 
and Prince Albert, may God bless them,’ was received 
with enthusiasm. The poor also were not forgotten. 
A sum amounting to nearly £200 was collected, and 
a committee of gentlemen formed for the purpose 
distributed to nearly 2,000 poor persons ample means 
of obtaining a good dinner on the auspicious day. 
Public buildings and many private houses were deco¬ 
rated with flags; the streets were crowded with the 
inhabitants and persons from the adjoining country. 
Mr. G. Polkinghorne, of George-street, Plymouth, Her 
Majesty’s Confectioner, prepared the royal bridecake, 
which was cut up and presented to upwards of 800 
persons on the marriage day. Hevonport and Stone- 
house also displayed their loyalty and attachment to 
their Sovereign on this joyous occasion in a similar 
way. The ships in the harbour were splendidly dressed 
with flags. In the evening H.M. ships Impregnable 
and aS H. Joseph were brilliantly illuminated, blue 
lights being exhibited from the ports, and greatly 
admired by the spectators who lined the shores.” 
February 22ncl.—A public meeting held at the Guild¬ 
hall for an address of congratulation to Her Majesty 
on her marriage with His Eoyal Higness Prince 
Albert, which was agreed to, and the mayor requested 
to present the same in person. 

April 22nd.—A rather indecorous proceeding at the 



432 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


Barbican. A man belonging to one of the mackerel 
boats lying in the Pool got drunk and made a dis¬ 
turbance. In consequence a policeman took him in 
custody, and was taking him to the station-house— 
but being overpowered the man was taken away 
and carried on board the boat. The policeman, 
fearing a serious riot, sent to the mayor and the 
station-house. The mayor, with the superintendent 
and a body of police soon arrived. The mayor was 
told that they had rescued the prisoner, pointing 
out the boat he was in, when he, the superintendent 
and others of the police, got on board and demanded 
the man. Just as they got on board the crew hoisted 
the jib, and the boat proceeded to sea. The mayor 
ultimately prevailed on the crew to put the boat 
back. The man and several others were afterwards 
brought before the magistrates and fined for their 
misconduct. 

May 26th. — The foundation stone of Trinity 
Church laid by the Eev. J. Hatchard. According 
to arrangements, the Members of the Town Council, 
the subscribers to the building, and the clergy of 
the neighbourhood and others met the mayor and 
magistrates at the Guildhall, and walked in procession 
to the ground in Southside-street. After the pro¬ 
ceedings were over, with a view to commemorate the 
gratifying event, the Eev. J. Hatchard was presented 
with an elegant and massive silver salver, a chaste 
silver tea service, and a richly bound quarto Bible, 
subscribed for by members of his congregation and 
other inhabitants of the town. The following inscrip¬ 
tion was engraved on the salver: “ Presented to the 




FIRE IN THE DOCKYARD. 


433 


Rev. John Hatchard, M.A., Yicar of the Parish of 
Saint Andrew, Plymouth, on the 47 th anniversary 
of his birth, by various members of his congregation 
and other friends, to commemorate their approval of 
his ministry during the 16 years he has held that 
important office; of his unremitting exertions in all 
works of charity; and especially of his success in 
raising the funds for the building of Trinity Church.” 
May 27th.—South Devon and East Cornwall Hospital 
opened. 

June 27th. — The Commissioners appointed to 
enquire into the comparative advantages of the ports 
in the channel for a Packet Station arrived in this 
town, when a number of qualified persons gave 
evidence before them, showing the superiority of 
Plymouth over other ports as a rendezvous for steam 
packets intended to convey the Mediterranean and 
West India Mails. 

September 1st.—The trawling sloop Two Brothers , 
of this port, seized by the officers of the Busy, having 
on board about a ton and a half of smuggled tobacco. 
September 10th.—The new Corn and Pish Markets 
opened. The Cattle Market this year removed from 
the back of the Market to the Tavistock-road, and 
the Market generally altered. 

October 27th.—Great fire in the Devonport Dock¬ 
yard. The first discovery was shortly after 4 o’clock 
(Sunday morning), when a policeman perceived flames 
issuing from the ship Talavera , then in dock under 
repair; he gave an alarm, but within a few minutes 
and before any effectual assistance could be brought, 
the ship was completely enveloped in fire from stem 




434 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


to stern. The alarm soon spread, the hell at the gate 
was rung as a notice to those employed in the estab¬ 
lishment, and orders at first were given to allow no 
one to enter but the persons employed; but as the 
flames increased and the terror became greater, the 
gates were thrown open and assistance was readily 
rendered. The Dockyard engines were soon put in 
operation, but so intense were the flames that for 
some time the immense body of water had little 
or no effect. The engines belonging to the Marines, 
Victualling Yard, Eoyal Hospital, and other Govern¬ 
ment places, and the soldiers of various regiments, 
with their engines, together with the Devonport and 
Plymouth engines, were soon on the spot. All the 
disposable police force of Plymouth was despatched 
to the yard as extra guards. Many thousands of 
persons entered the gates before 6 o’clock, and used 
every effort to assist the authorities. Fortunately the 
morning was very calm, scarcely a breath of wind 
blowing, and to this circumstance, aided by the 
immense body of water thrown from the engines 
and the admirable arrangements made, was the pre¬ 
servation of this establishment owing. From 6 o’clock 
it was clear that the volume of flames was decreasing, 
and the fire gradually sank, till at 8 o’clock, all 
danger might be said to be over, though the engines 
at that hour were in constant play. The Talavera , 
7 4 guns, was literally burnt down; the Imogene 
frigate of 26 guns, was also totally burnt; the Minden , 
74 guns, was greatly injured, being burnt from the 
bows to the fore chains, and inside her deck and 
beams as far as the main hatchway; also the Adelaide 


BRITISH ASSOCIATION MEETING. 


435 


Gallery, nearly 200 feet in length, perished in the 
flames, and the fine old figure-heads, and other 
memorable relics were destroyed. The origin of the 
fire was not ascertained, but the opinion of the 
most competent judges was, that it was an act of 
incendiarism. 

“ October 30th.—The Directors of the Plymouth 
Company of New Zealand, to commemorate the 
sailing of their first ship from this port to their 
settlement of New Plymouth, gave a splendid enter¬ 
tainment to the nobility and gentry of the neighbour¬ 
hood at the Poyal Hotel.” A very severe gale 
experienced in the autumn; the tide rose exceedingly 
high; most of the lower parts of the town were 
flooded. “ The new tenor bell of St. Andrew’s 
Church, cast by Meares, was put up on the 17th of 
July, this year; it weighed a quarter of a hundred 
weight less than the former one, which had been cast 
in 1748, and was cracked and rendered useless in 
1839.” St. Andrew’s Church new roofed. 

1841. — George William Soltau, Mayor. Thomas 
Gill and Viscount Ebrington, Members of Parlia¬ 
ment. Alderman J. Johnson an unsuccessful candidate. 
The “ British Association for the Advancement of 
Science,” this year held its annual meeting at 
Plymouth and Devonport—called the “ Plymouth 
Meeting”—under the Presidency of the Eev. Pro¬ 
fessor Wliewell, F.E.S.; the Vice-Presidents being 
the Earl of Mount Edgcumbe, the Earl of Morley, 
Lord Eliot, Sir C. Lemon, Bart., and Sir T. D. 
Acland, Bart.; and the Local Secretaries, Sir W. 




436 


HISTORY OR PLYMOUTH. 


Snow Harris, Col. Hamilton Smith, Robert Were 
Fox, Esq., and Richard Taylor, junr., Esq. The 
meeting commenced on the 29th of July, and ended 
on the 4th of August. 

January 4th. — The members of the Natural 
History Society assembled for the first time, in their 
newly fitted-up rooms at the Royal Union Baths, 
Union-street. u January 9th.—A court martial held 
on board H.M. ship San Joseph , in Hamoaze, on 
George Hobbs, gunner of H.M. packet, Pigeon. The 
prisoner was arraigned on four charges—being drunk 
and disorderly, repeated drunkenness, insubordination 
and disobedience of orders, and for striking his 
superior officer, the master of the Pigeon . The 
prisoner pleaded guilty, and was sentenced to be hung 
on the yard arm of one of H.M. ships in Hamoaze.” 

“ February 12th.—A very severe gale in the 
neighbourhood from the north-east, a heavy fall of 
snow during the night; from the drift, in many places 
travelling was completely put a stop to. The Quick¬ 
silver mail left at its usual time, a quarter-past nine ; 
but at Smithalee, between Ridgway and Ivybridge, 
the coach was completely imbedded in snow—in many 
places it being eight or ten feet deep ; after great 
difficulty the coach was extricated, and the mail bags 
were taken out. On information being conveyed to 
Mr. Marks, the Plymouth Postmaster, he proceeded 
to the spot in a coach and four, obtained the assistance 
of the road surveyor, and with the aid of seventy 
men, by the following morning, a road was cut 
through the drift, and the coaches were enabled to 
proceed. The mail due here at 4 o’clock on 



THE BREAKWATER LIGHTHOUSE. 


437 


Saturday did not arrive till noon on Sunday. The 
bags were conveyed from Ivybridge on saddled 
horses. During the gale a Dutch barque, with a 
cargo of sugar and wool, was driven from her 
moorings at the western end of the Breakwater, and 
but for the energy and skill of John Eddy, a Cawsand 
pilot, the vessel would have been dashed to pieces on 
Penlee rocks. Most providentially for the lives of all 
on board, Eddy succeeded in running the ship on 
Cawsand beach. Also at the same time a Jersey 
packet working into the harbour ran on shore under 
the Citadel, but was got olf shortly after, and in 
safety reached Millbay.” 

u February 22nd.—The first stone of the Light¬ 
house upon the western extremity of the Plymouth 
Breakwater laid by Admiral Warren, Superintendent 
of the Plymouth Dockyard. The time fixed for the 
ceremony was 12 o’clock, but owing to a dense fog 
the Admiral was prevented from reaching the Break¬ 
water until nearly 3 o’clock, although he embarked 
in his yacht at 11 in the morning. After the neces¬ 
sary preparations were made, Admiral Warren and 
his party, and many of the inhabitants of Plymouth 
and its vicinity, who had been waiting on the Break¬ 
water to witness the ceremony assembled round the 
site, when Mr. Stuart, the Superintendent Engineer, 
briefly explained the object of the Lighthouse, and 
that it was 28 years since the commencement of the 
Breakwater; that 3,362,727 tons of stone had been 
deposited there, and that the whole outlay did not 
exceed £1,200,000. The stone having been duly 
laid, Mr. Walker, the Queen’s Harbour Master, pro- 



438 


HIST0EY OF PLYMOUTH. 


posed three cheers for the Queen and Prince Albert, 
which being heartily given, concluded the imposing 
ceremony.’ 7 The foundation stone of the Devon and 
Cornwall Female Orphan Asylum, at the head of 
Lockyer-street, laid May 11th, by Sir Ealph Lopes, 
Bart. Mr. George Wight wick was the architect. 
Collections made and blankets given to the poor in 
honour of the birth of the Prince of Wales, who was 
born in November this year. A new window and 
altar piece put up in St. Andrew’s Church. 

1842. —William Prance, Mayor. 

• \ 

1843. —Nicholas Lockyer, Mayor. Trinity Church, 
in Southside-street, erected. Plymouth visited by 
the Queen and the Prince Consort, who arrived in 
the Eoyal yacht. Her Majesty was escorted from the 
Dockyard through the Three Towns by the Mayors 
and Corporations, and addresses were presented from 
each of the Three Towns. Bonfires were lit on the 
Hoe. 

1844. —Philip Edward Lyne, Mayor. Portland 
Chapel, in Portland-place, erected. The Western 
College, Badnor-place, established. Millbay pier 
opened. Baptist Chapel, George-street, built. 

M 

1845. —Benjamin Parham, Mayor. The Plymouth 
and Stonehouse Gas Light and Coke Company in¬ 
corporated by Act of Parliament on the 30th of June. 
Christ Church, Eton-place, erected from the designs 
of Mr. Wightwick. The Grand Duke Constantine 
of Eussia arrived at Plymouth, and was very cordially 
received by all the nobility and the authorities. 




QUEEN VICTORIA AT PLYMOUTH. 


439 


1846.—Thomas Hillersden Bulteel, Mayor. On 
occasion of Lord Ebrington becoming a Lord of the 
Treasury, an election took place, when he was opposed 
by Henry Vincent, who, however only obtained 188 
votes. The Plymouth, Hevonport and Stonehouse 
Cemetery Company established by Act of Parliament. 
The Cornwall Eailway Company incorporated by Act 
of Parliament. 

At 9 o’clock on Friday morning, August 21st, 
Her Majesty Queen Victoria arrived off the Port of 
Plymouth, the Eoyal yacht being signalled by the 
Harpy Eevenue cutter. The Eoyal yacht, the Victoria 
ancl Albert , with the Eoyal Standard floating at the 
main, quickly hove in sight, followed by the Fairy , 
and the Black Eagle Admiralty steamer. A Eoyal 
salute was fired from the Caledonia guard-ship in 
Hamoaze, and salutes were also fired from H.M.S. 
Contest , as well as from the Citadel and Mount Wise, 
and the batteries at Mount Edgcumbe. About 10 
o’clock, the Eoyal yacht, with its precious freight, 
anchored safely at the moorings prepared for her in 
Earn Pool. Sir John West, K.C.B., Commander-in- 
Chief of this port and the other officers, at once 
proceeded to pay their respects to Her Majesty, and 
a guard of honour proceeded to Mount Edgcumbe, 
where every preparation had been made for Her 
Majesty’s landing. Her Majesty however deferred 
her landing and that of H.E.H. the Prince Consort 
until the next (Saturday) morning. At half-past 1 
o’clock, the Queen and the Prince Consort left the 
Eoyal yacht and went on board the Fairy for the 
purpose of making an excursion up the Saint Germans 



440 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


river to siglit Port Eliot, the seat of the Earl of 
Saint Germans, and returned on board at half-past 5 
and then proceeded up the Tamar to Cothele. At 
Cothele the Eoyal party landed and were conveyed 
through the grounds, and the old mansion of Cothele, 
Her Majesty remaining an hour in the house, and 
passing through and examining all the rooms. The 
Prince of Wales and the Princess Eoyal passed the 
afternoon at Mount Edgcumbe. The Mayor of Ply¬ 
mouth, Mr. Benjamin Parham, hastily summoned a 
special meeting of the Council. On the Saturday 
morning, shortly after 7 o’clock, the Prince Consort 
landed at Millbay pier and proceeded in the Eoyal 
carriage to Dartmoor where he inspected the Naptha 
Works, and then walked to Tor Eoyal House, from 
whence he returned to Millbay and so on board the 
Eoyal yacht. At 10 o’clock, the Queen and the two 
Eoyal children landed on Mount Edgcumbe and were 
received by the Earl and Countess and there remained 
enjoying the grounds till 12 o’clock, when they 
re-embarked to await the return of the Prince 
Consort, when they again landed, lunched at Mount 
Edgcumbe House with the Earl and Countess, and 
again went on board at 4 o’clock. At 5 o’clock, the 
Queen, the Prince Consort, and the Eoyal children 
went on board the Fairy yacht and steamed across 
the Sound, passed close up to the southern side of 
the harbour by Mount Batten, Turnchapel, and 
Oreston, where she moored to a buoy off Pomphlett 
Lake. The Queen and Prince then entered the 
yacht’s cutter and were rowed under Laira Bridge 
by Chelson Meadow to the woods of Saltram, and 


OPENING OF THE RAILWAY. 


441 


then rejoined the Fairy , and, after nearing Catdown 
quarries and rounding the Bear’s Head and Queen 
Anne’s Battery, came close to the piers of Sutton 
Pool. Here the Royal party remained some time and 
then re-crossing the Sound, entered Millbay and then 
again went on hoard the Victoria and Albert. The 
Royal Marine Band played on hoard the Victoria and 
Albert during dinner, at the express desire of the 
Queen, the programme of music being her own 
selection. On Sunday morning the Royal party left 
Barn Pool for Guernsey, under Royal salutes from 
every available place. August 28th.—The Duke of 
Wellington arrived at Plymouth on an official visit, 
and remained at the Royal Hotel until the morning 
of the 30th. 

1847. —James Moore, Mayor. Viscount Ebrington 
and Roundell Palmer, (afterwards Attorney-General) 
Members of Parliament. C. B. Calmady an unsuc¬ 
cessful candidate. Mr. Henry Woollcombe died 
February 14th, aged 70. The foundation stone of 
Union Congregational Chapel, in Courtenay street, 
laid in July, by David Derry, Esq. 

1848. —William Burnell, Mayor. The new Post- 
office, erected from the designs of Mr. Arthur, opened 
in March. Eldad Chapel, now St. Peter’s, licensed. 
The Cemetery, Pennycomequick, opened. 

1849. —John Moore, Mayor. The South Devon 
Railway opened from Exeter to Plymouth, and thus 
placed in connection with all parts of the kingdom. 
The new prisons on North-hill completed at a cost of 



442 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


£12,500. Plymouth, with Devonport, Stonehouse, 
Stoke Damerel and the neighbourhood, was visited 
with the cholera, and the visitation was so violent, 
that from the 4th of July, when the first death 
occurred, to the 8th of November, when the last was 
registered, no less than 819 deaths from cholera 
occurred in Plymouth alone, while those in the 
adjoining towns were even a greater number. At 
this time, temporary cholera hospitals were erected 
in the Five Fields. The new Mechanics’ Institution, 
Princess-square, erected from the designs of Messrs. 
Wight wick and Damant. 

1850. —David Derry, Mayor. Saint Peter’s Church, 
Eldad, commonly known as Eld ad Chapel, consecrated. 
The Public Baths and Wash-houses, established 
principally through the exertions of Eev. W. Odgers, 
opened. On the 22nd of January, a public meeting 
was held in the Guildhall, at which the mayor 
presided, and Lord Ebrington, Lord Morley, Pev. 
W. Odgers, and others, took part in the pro¬ 
ceedings. They afterwards visited the wash-houses, 
when about 300 poor women had tea and cake 
given them; after which they were shown the 
mode of heating the water, and the various 
conveniences for washing. They were allowed to 
occupy the wash-houses during the first week free 
of all charge. 

1851. —Alfred Looker, Mayor. 

1852. —Herbert Mends Gibson, Mayor. Charles 
John Mare and Kobert Porrett Collier (afterwards Sir 





OPENING OF THE COTTONIAN LIBRARY. 


443 


Robert Porrett Collier, Solicitor-General), Members of 
Parliament; Sir Roundell Palmer, G. T. Braine, and 
Bickliam Escott, nnsuccessful candidates. Mr. Mare 
was afterwards unseated, on petition, for bribery. Her 
Majesty Queen Victoria and tlie Prince Consort visited 
Plymouth. 

1853. — Copleston Lopes Radcliffe, Mayor. Sir 
Roundell Palmer, Member of Parliament, in room 
of Charles John Mare, unseated; G. T. Braine an 
unsuccessful candidate. The Cottonian Library, in 
connection with the Plymouth Public Library, in 
Cornwall-street, opened on the 1st of June; the 
new front and additional buildings having been 
erected from the designs of Messrs. Wightwick and 
Damant. The Bath and West of England Agricul¬ 
tural Society held its annual meeting and Cattle 

Show at Plymouth in June. 

\ 

1854. —Thomas Stevens, Mayor. Plymouth adopted 
the provisions of the “ Public Health Act,” and thus 
did away with the old Board of Improvement Com¬ 
missioners, and its Corporation became a Local Board 
of Health. 

1855. —John Kelly, Mayor. The Church of Saint 
John the Evangelist, Jubilee-street, Sutton-on-Plym, 
erected from the designs of Mr. Benjamin Eerrey, 
and was consecrated in June by the Bishop of Exeter. 

1856. —Francis F. Bulteel, Mayor. Hans Hansen 
was found guilty of wilfully murdering Charles 
Jacobi, his brother soldier in the Jagar regiment of 
the German Legion, at Maker, on the 13th of March. 




444 


HISTORY OP PLYMOUTH. 


1857. — Bichard Hicks, Mayor. Eobert Porrett 
Collier and James White, Members of Parliament, 
John Hardy an unsuccessful candidate. The first 
tube of the Eoyal Albert Tubular Bridge floated, 
and fixed to its piers on the 1st of September. As 
by means of this bridge, Plymouth became connected 
with the Cornish Coast by a direct line of railway, 
the following interesting particulars of the eyent are 
worth preserving:— u Temporary docks were cut at the 
ends of the tube for the admission of four pontoons— 
two at each end. These pontoons draw about 8 ft. 
6 in. of water, and are capable of sustaining a weight 
of 500 tons each, or 2,000 tons in the whole. As 
the weight of the section which they had to float is 
1,100 tons, it will be seen that ample power had 
been provided. By means of valves, the pontoons 
admit water into their interiors, and having by this 
means been sunk to some extent, they were passed 
beneath the ends of the tubes. Five vessels, borrowed 
from the Government authorities, were moored in 
different positions in the river, one being placed on 
the eastern side, another in the centre of the stream, 
and a third at the western side, above the bridge; 
the other two being moored lower down. On board 
these were stationed a number of men from the 
Dockyard and Her Majesty’s ships, with powerful 
crabs for the purpose of warping the tube to its 
position. Four more hawsers were attached to as 
many windlasses at different points on shore, and 
arrangements had been made to guide and control 
the pontoons in every direction as they floated onwards 
with their gigantic burden. The plan adopted for 


THE ALBERT TUBULAR BRIDGE. 


445 


directing the operations of the workmen and labourers 
engaged was that of signal flags from a temporary 
platform, in the centre of the tube, which was under 
the immediate and entire control of Mr. Brunei. 
Early in the morning, the men were engaged in 
pumping out the water which had been let into the 
pontoons, in order to render them more buoyant, and 
as the tide rose they rose also, and thus the ponderous 
weight of the tube was thrown upon them. It was 
calculated that the tide would have risen sufficiently 
to float the mass soon after 1 o’clock, and at lh. 
15m. the monster tube was seen to float. Gradually 
it moved out, first one end and then the other, until 
it reached the centre. The assembled crowds saw 
with astonishment this huge mass moving without 
the slightest sound. Not a voice was heard, not a 
direction was spoken; a few flags waved, a few boards 
with numbers on them were exhibited, and, as by 
some mysterious agency, the tube and rail borne on 
the pontoons travelled to the resting-place, and, with 
the impressive silence which is the highest evidence of 
power, it slid, as it were, into its position without 
an accident, without any extraordinary mechanical 
effort, without a “misfit” to the extent of the eighth 
of an inch. Equally without haste and without delay 
just as the tide reached its limit, at 3 o’clock, the 
tube was fixed on the piers about 30 feet above 
high water, and the band of the Boyal Marines, 
which was stationed in a vessel near Saltash, struck 
up “See the conquering hero comes,” and then “God 
save the Queen,” when the assembled multitude broke 
out into loud and continued cheers in expression of 


446 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


their admiration and delight. Numbers of boats 
immediately passed under the railway, which was 
some 8 feet above high water, and people touched 
the iron road ere it should become elevated to the 
height it was destined to occupy. At 5 o’clock, the 
tide was found to have sufficiently receded for the 
removal of the pontoons. The shores were knocked 
away, the wedges were removed, and the heavy mass 
rested independently on the piers, from which it was 
afterwards gradually raised by hydraulic pressure. 
For this purpose the hydraulic presses were fixed, 
and the first lift of the tube was made on the 25th 
November, 1857. 

1858. —James Skardon, Mayor. The second tube 
of the Eoyal Albert Tubular Bridge floated to its 
place July 10th. The Eoman Catholic Church of 
Saint Mary and Boniface, in Cecil-street, opened in 
March. The Higher Mills destroyed by fire. The Old 
Mitre Tavern, in Southside-street, burnt down. 

1859. — John Burnell, Mayor. Eobert Porrett 
Collier and Yiscount Yalletort, Members of Parlia¬ 
ment ; James White an unsuccessful candidate. 

Monday, May 2nd. — The Eoyal Albert Bridge 
opened by H.E.H. Prince Albert in person. The 
Mayors of Plymouth (Mr. James Skardon) and 
Devonport (Mr. Wilson) invited to the opening,, 
and the next day the mayor attended the dejuner , 
the railway being on that day opened to the public. 
The “ South Devon and Cornwall Institution for the 
Indigent Blind” established at Plymouth through 




THE ALBERT TUBULAR BRIDGE 


447 


the exertions of Mr. Gale. u May 6th.—A train ran 
off the railway line at Saint Germans, and the engine 
was buried ten feet; three men killed.” 

This gigantic bridge, in its completed state, which 
connects Devonshire with Cornwall by means of the 
Cornwall Eailway, is shown on the accompanying 
engraving. The bridge consists of nineteen spans, or 
arches, seventeen of which are comparatively narrow, 



and the remaining two of immense width. These 
two, which rest on a single cast iron pier of four 
columns, in the centre of the river, span the whole 
width of the Tamar, no less than 910 feet—the entire 
length of the bridge being 2,240 feet, or 300 feet 
longer than the Britannia Tubular Bridge. The 
greatest width on the basement is 30 feet, and its 
highest elevation, from foundation to summit, is no 
less than 260 feet. The total quantity of wrought 















































448 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


iron in the bridge is 2,650 tons; of cast iron, about 
1,200 tons; of stone masonry and brickwork, about 
1,700 or 1,800 cubic yards; and of timber, about 
1,500 cubic feet. 

1860. —William Luscombe, Mayor. New reservoir 
at Hartley opened, and abattoirs built. 

1861. —William Derry, Mayor. Walter Morrison, 
Member of Parliament in room of Viscount Valletort, 
who this year succeeded to the title and estates of 
his father, the Earl of Mount Edgcumbe. Hon. 
W. Addington an unsuccessful candidate. Special 
services and general mourning on occasion of the 
death of H.E.H. the Prince Consort. A marble 
bust of Sir Joshua Reynolds, by Behnes, commissioned 
by subscription, presented to the Cottonian Library. 
The British Archaeological Association Congress at 
Exeter opened in August. The Western College 
opened in June. 

1862. —William Derry, Mayor. The Plymouth 
Life-boat “ The Prince Consort,” the cost of which 
was presented to the Royal National Life-boat In¬ 
stitution, ( John-street, Adelphi,) by Miss Burdett 
Coutts, now the Baroness Burdett Coutts, inaugurated 
this year. The boat, of which we give the accom¬ 
panying engraving, is a 34 feet ten-oared boat, and 
is provided with a launching carraige and full equip¬ 
ments. It is kept in a substantial house, built 
specially for its reception, on the western side of 
Millbay. From the time of the establishment of this 
Life-boat station this year (1862), down to the time 































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































THE CLOCK TOWER 


449 


of publication, the Prince Consort has been instru¬ 
mental in saying about 40 lives from different wrecks, 
besides going off on several occasions of imminent 
peril. 

The Clock Tower and Bell Turret erected in George- 
street; its entire height 60 feet. It is constructed prin¬ 
cipally of blue and pink limestone, the quoins of 



light limestone, and the centre part blue, with bands 
of granite. There are three drinking fountains of 
elegantly carved Portland stone on the north, east, 
and west sides, and a doorway on the south. Over 
the fountains, on a string-course, is the inscription— 
“ Erected 1862. William Derry, Mayor.” About 
15 feet up the shaft are the Plymouth Arms, cut in 
Portland stone. At the top is the clock, on which 
Mr. Derry expended, as a free gift, some £400 or 
more, and this is surmounted by an elegant bell 
turret. The architect was Mr. Henry Hall, of London; 
































































































450 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


and the builders were Messrs. Call and Pethick, of 
Plymouth. The town expended £300 on the erection 
of the tower, Mr. Derry paying all additional cost 
and presenting the clock. 

A portrait of H.R.H. the Prince Consort was this 
year placed in the Guildhall, at a cost of about 
<£80. Proposal mooted for establishing an “ Albert 
Museum” at Plymouth. Foundation stone of Sher- 
well Congregational Chapel, in the Tavistock-road, 
laid by David Derry, Esq., in September. Blondin 
performed at the Citadel. 

1863.—Charles Norrington, Mayor. The Theatre 
Royal partly destroyed by fire. Mr. William Cotton, 

the donor of the Cottonian Library, Plymouth, died 

_ * 

January 22nd, aged 69, at 8, West Hoe-terrace. 

Great rejoicing on occasion of the marriage of 
H.R.H. the Prince of Wales with the Princess 
Alexandra, of Denmark. H.R.H. the Prince of Wales 
appointed Lord High Steward of the Borough of Ply¬ 
mouth, on which occasion a beautiful casket, enclosing 
the patent of his appointment, was presented to him. 
The casket was of oak, elaborately mounted in silver, 
with the arms, motto, etc., of the Prince and those 
of the Borough of Plymouth, elegantly engraved, and 
bore the following inscription:—“ Presented to His 
Royal Highness Albert Edward, Prince of Wales, 
together with the patent of office of High Steward 
of the Borough of Plymouth, to which His Royal 
Highness was appointed by the Council of the said 
borough, in succession to his late Royal Father, 
January 14th, A.D. 1863.” Robert Porrett Collier, 




GARIBALDI AT PLYMOUTH. 


451 


Esq., M.P. for Plymouth, was knighted in November. 

1864. — Charles Norrington, Mayor. Sir Robert 
Porrett Collier, re-elected on his becoming Solicitor- 
General. The Sherwell Congregational Chapel, in the 
Tavistock-road, opened. The new Albert Wing of the 
South Devon and East Cornwall Hospital was opened 
in February. The following inscription was in 1835 
engraved on a plate imbedded in the foundation 
stone:—“The foundation stone of the South Devon 
and East Cornwall Hospital and Public Dispensary 
was laid on the 6th of August, 1835, by the Rev. 
John Hatchard, M.A., at the request and in the 
presence of the committee and subscribers, in grate¬ 
ful acknowledgment of the Divine favour through 
which they have been enabled to begin the building, 
and in humble reliance upon the blessing of God on 
their endeavours to carry the charitable objects of 
the institution thus commenced into effect. George 
Wightwick, Architect.” In April, General Garibaldi, 
accompanied by the Duke and Duchess of Sutherland, 
passed through Plymouth on his way to Penquite, 
and was received at the railway station by the Mayor, 
Charles Norrington, Esq.; the ex-May or, W. Derry, 
Esq.; the Committee of Reception, and other officials. 
A bouquet was presented to the General by the 
Misses Norrington and the reception was very enthu¬ 
siastic. Addresses were presented to him at Penquite. 
Foundation of the new Wesleyan Chapel, King-street, 
laid May 17th. A silver cup, bearing the inscription, 
“Presented by the Corporation of Plymouth to the 
Mayor, Charles Norrington, Esq., on the occasion of 




452 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


the birth of a son to him,” on one side, and on the 
other, the borough arms, presented to the mayor. 
A testimonial presented to Dr. Cookworthy on his 
resignation of the office of senior physician to the 
Plymouth Public Dispensary. 

1865.—Francis Hicks, Mayor. Sir Eobert Porrett 
Collier and Walter Morrison, Members of Parliament. 
E. Stuart Lane an unsuccessful candidate. Sir Charles 
Lock Eastlake, E.A., died in December. The Eoyal 
Agricultural Society of England held its annual 
meeting at Plymouth, the show yards occupying 
nearly 30 acres of ground, being situated at the 
back of Penny comequick, near the Saltash-road, and 
the dinner pavillion near the Hoe. The meeting 
commenced on the 12th of July, and closed on Friday, 
the 21st of the same month. The President was Sir 
E. C. Kerrison, Bart., M.P. On this occasion Ply¬ 
mouth was honoured by a visit from their Eoyal 
Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales, who 
anchored in Barn Pool, off Mount Edgcumbe, on the 
18th of July, amid salutes from all the batteries. 
Upon coming to anchor the Earl of Mount Edgcumbe 
went on board the Eoyal yacht to meet his-Eoyal 
guests, and in the afternoon a deputation from the 
Plymouth Corporation, consisting of the Mayor (C. 
Norrington, Esq.), the Town Clerk (C. Whiteford, 
Esq.), and Messrs. H. M. Gibson, S. Jackson, J. 
Skardon, and J. Kelly went on board the Eoyal yacht 
to present an address from the Corporation, and were 
graciously received, as was also a deputation from the 
Corporation of Devonport. Shortly after 4 o’clock 


ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SHOW. 


453 


preparations were made on shore for the landing 
of the Eoyal visitors, and about 5 o’clock they 
landed and at once proceeded to Mount Edgcumbe 
House. The 2nd Devon Administrative Battalion of 
Volunteers, including the Plymouth, Devonport, 
Stonehouse and Tavistock corps, were in attendance 
as a guard of honour to their Eoyal Highnesses, 
under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Fisk. 
The following day, Wednesday, their Eoyal High¬ 
nesses left Mount Edgcumbe a few minutes before one 
and landed from the Eoyal barge at the Eoyal 
William Victualling Office, where they were received 
by the mayors of Plymouth and Devonport, and 
where every preparation had been made. At 1 o’clock 
the Prince and Princess, with the Countess de Grey 
and the Earl of Mount Edgcumbe, entered the first 
carriage, drawn by four horses, and attended by a 
guard of honour. The suite followed in other 
carriages, the mayors of Plymouth and Devonport 
bringing up the rear. The cortege then proceeded 
along Durnford-street, Millbay-road, past the Duke of 
Cornwall Hotel, the Athenaeum, Theatre, and Eoyal 
Hotel, and so along George-street, Eussell-street, 
York-street, and St. Michael’s-terrace, to the Show 
Yard at Pennycomequick, the whole line of route 
being lined with an immense concourse of enthusiastic 
spectators, and the windows and house-tops lined with 
ladies, while triumphal arches and flags were every¬ 
where to be seen. At the Show Yard they were met 
by the President of the Society, Sir Edward Kerrison, 
Bart., M.P.; Lieut.-General Lord Templetown, Com¬ 
mander of the Western District; Sir W. Fairfax, 


454 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


A.D.C.; Colonel Mann, tlie Town Major; Lord 
Vivian, the Lord-Lieutenant of Cornwall; the mayors 
of Plymouth and Devonport, the Lord of the Manor 
of Devonport, and several members of the Council of 
the Society. In the Show Yard the reception was of 
the most hearty and enthusiastic character, and the 
Eoyal visitors, with their party, remained for some 
time and partook of an elegant luncheon which had 
been provided for the occasion. They then re-entered 
the carriages and proceeded direct to Saltash Passage, 
where, after viewing the Eoyal Albert Bridge, they 
embarked on board the Princess Alice —the Admiral’s 
yacht—and proceeded down Hamoaze to the Sound, 
under salutes from all the ships in commission. The 
yacht conveyed their Eoyal Highnesses first to the 
Magenta , one of the French Squadron, where they 
were received with a Eoyal salute, which was 
returned from the Citadel. They then visited all the 
French, Austrian, and English vessels of war in the 
Sound in succession, and at about a quarter to seven 
in the evening re-landed at Mount Edgcumbe, under 
a Eoyal salute from the battery. In the evening the 
band of the Eoyal Marines played during dinner, and 
were afterwards, at the express wish of the Prince, 
retained for the dance, in which their Eoyal High¬ 
nesses took part. The party did not break up until 
3 o’clock in the morning. On this day, Mr. Gale, the 
electrician, of Plymouth, who had discovered a process 
by which gunpowder can be rendered non-explosive 
and its combustible properties easily restored when 
required, exhibited experiments in the lawn at Mount 
Edgcumbe, before the Prince and Princess of Wales, 



ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SHOW. 


455 


the Duke of St. Albans, Lord Skelmersdale, Lady 
Skelmersdale, the Countess of Dalkeith, the Countess 
de Grey, Lord George Hamilton, Lady Bertha Hamil¬ 
ton, the Earl of Mount Edgcumbe, the Dowager 
Countess of Mount Edgcumbe, Mr. Cust, General 
Knollys, and Major Grey. The trial was first made 
on about one pound of the ordinary blasting powder, 
which within a comparatively short space of time was 
rendered non-explosive, and the slow match was 
applied. The result of the application was merely 
the causing the ignition of the grains of the powder 
which came in immediate contact with the flame, 
which otherwise did not have the least effect on the 
body of the powder, the inventor holding the vessel 
containing the material in his hand. The powder 
was subsequently made explosive without any dimi¬ 
nution in its strength or loss in its weight, and the 
Prince, at the termination, expressed himself satisfied 
with the experiment, and with the value of the 
discovery. On Thursday a large number of noblemen 
and ladies and gentlemen of the neighbourhood were 
invited to luncheon in the grounds of Mount 
Edgcumbe with their Boyal Highnesses. The Earl 
of Mount Edgcumbe issued the invitations, which 
were rather numerous, and most select. Precisely at 
3 o’clock the Poyal party and suite left the Earl 
of Mount Edgcumbe’s house, the leading steps of 
which were covered with crimson carpet. An open 
carriage was in waiting to receive them, and in it 
their Eoyal Highnesses and the Earl of Mount 
Edgcumbe and the Dowager Countess of Mount 
Edgcumbe seated themselves. The rest of the party 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


found places in other carriages placed at their dis¬ 
posal. The procession then started, and proceeding 
along the carriage drive in front of the house, turned 
into the road leading to Cremyll under a long avenue 
of trees, at the bottom of which they sharply turned 
to the right to the entrance of the flower gardens of the 
Park; they then proceeded to within a few feet of 
the people who were assembled to meet them. As 
the Eoyal party entered the orangery the Marine 
Band struck up u God bless the Prince of Wales.” 
About an hour having been spent in luncheon, the 
party broke up, and they then promenaded in the 
lawn of the orangery. The Prince entered into con¬ 
versation with those on the ground, and the Princess, 
after walking in the lawn for some time, took a 
carriage drive, attended by the Dowager Countess of 
Mount Edgcumbe, to the Barn Pool, and visited the 
fort there. During luncheon the hand of the Ply¬ 
mouth Division of Eoyal Marines attended. After 
the Prince and Princess of Wales had driven around 
the Park, they proceeded to Cremyll beach, where 
they embarked on board the Admiralty barge and 
landed at the Dockyard, where they were received by 
the heads of the departments. The General’s (Lord 
Templetown) carriage was in waiting, and took the 
Eoyal party to his house on Mount Wise, where their 
Eoyal Highnesses dined. About thirty-four persons 
of the highest rank sat down to dinner ; most of them 
being those who had been present at Mount 
Edgcumbe. The reception of the party in Devonport 
was most enthusiastic, for notwithstanding the short 
notice given, the streets through which the Eoyal 


ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SHOW. 


457 


carriages had to pass were crowded. In the evening 
a grand hall, got up by the officers of the United 
Service at this port, to do honour to the French Navy 
now in Hamoaze, was held with the greatest eclat at 
the Boyal William Victualling Yard; the presence of 
the Prince and Princess of Wales investing it with 
additional interest. The utmost anxiety was evinced 
to obtain tickets, and the Pall Committee did their 
best to oblige all so far as it lay in their power. 
Many were of course disappointed, hut large and 
capacious as was the ball-room, it was not half 
large enough for the immense' number who thought 
they had some claims to be in the presence of 
Eoyalty. The committee, on whom devolved the 
duty of the arrangements, displayed excellent taste 
in the fitting up of the rooms. The walls were 
surrounded with the flags of all nations. At the end 
of the ball-room was erected a throne on a slightly 
elevated dais, and surmounted by a canopy of flags, 
consisting of the Boyal Standard, the French tri¬ 
colour, and others. On either side was a beautiful 
star formed on the left of E.A. swords, and on the 
right a star of sea service swords. The room was 
lit up with 200 jets of gas, and as all the officers 
were in full-dress uniform, the hall-room, when full, 
presented a most elegant appearance. Adjoining the 
ball-room, and running off from the part nearest the 
throne at right angles, was the supper-room, in which 
there was a most beautiful display of everything that 
could gratify the eye or satisfy the palate. At about 
10 o’clock the company began to assemble. A guard 
of honour was stationed opposite the entrance to the 


458 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


apartments, and the spacious front in the Royal 
William Victualling Yard was soon lined with car¬ 
riages. The company as they arrived were received 
by the officers of both services. At half-past eleven 
the carriages with the Prince of Wales and the party 
who had been dining at Lord Templetown’s, drove up, 
and as his Royal Highness alighted the band struck 
up u God save the Queen.” The Prince was accom¬ 
panied by the Earl of Mount Edgcumbe, the Duke of 
Somerset, and the other Lords of the Admiralty, 
Viscount Templetown, Admiral Sir Charles Free- 
mantle, and a bevy of ladies. On reaching the ball¬ 
room the Prince proceeded to the throne, where, for a 
time, he was the observed of all observers. The scene 
at this time was most brilliant and beautiful, and the 
whole alfair passed off in the most admirable and 
enjoyable manner. On the following day (Friday) 
the Royal party remained at Mount Edgcumbe during 
the early part of the day, and at 3 o’clock the Prince, 
with the family of his noble host, unaccompanied, 
however, by the Princess, went on board the Princess 
Alice , the Port Admiral’s steam yacht, and took a 
cruise up the River Tamar as far as Cothele, and 
returned shortly after seven in the evening. By this 
time it had become generally known that His Royal 
Highness would first proceed to the yacht, and from 
thence to Mount Edgcumbe in a barge. Conse¬ 
quently a large number of persons, chiefly ladies, had 
assembled at the landing stage on the beach. The 
Prince, on landing, was cheered, and in response 
raised his hat as he passed along. In the evening it 
was announced that the Prince and Princess had 


ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SHOW. 


459 


invited a select party to dine with them on hoard the 
Osborne , and at 8 o’clock the Prince was observed 
leaving the mansion, which was the occasion for 
additional cheering. His Royal Highness wore an 
evening suit, over which he had on a light walking 
coat, and across his breast the blue ribbon was sus¬ 
pended. The Princess shortly afterwards arrived in 
a carriage, drawn by two horses, and was accompanied 
by Lady de Grey and the Earl of Mount Edgcumbe. 
The Princess, on alighting, was warmly and enthusi¬ 
astically cheered, and bowed her acknowledgments. 
She was then led to the barge by the Earl of Mount 
Edgcumbe, when the greatest eagerness was evinced 
by the assembled throng to obtain a glimpse of the 
fair guest. The remainder of the party from Mount 
Edgcumbe, consisting chiefly of the Royal suite, and 
the members of the Edgcumbe family, subsequently 
went on board, where they were joined by the several 
guests that had been invited to attend. The band 
belonging to the French Squadron was present and 
played in an admirable manner a select programme of 
music in the forecastle of the yacht. The dinner was 
of a sumptuous character, and was held in the dining 
saloon on the upper decks of the vessel. In the 
evening the yacht was beautifully illuminated, and 
the scene was witnessed by persons who congregated 
in large numbers on the eminences best calculated for 
seeing it to advantage. The following day the Royal 
visit was brought to a close. 

1866.—William Radford, Mayor. This year the 
Cattle Plague raged to an alarming extent. Hay 
of humiliation fixed for March 9th, when all places 


460 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


closed at 5 o’clock, in accordance with, a notice from 
the mayor. The King street Wesleyan Chapel opened 
on the 1st of March. 

1867. —William Radford, Mayor. Sir William 
Snow Harris, F.R.S., died at his residence in Lockyer- 
street, January 22nd, aged 76. 

1868. —Alexander Hubbard, Mayor. Sir Kobert 
Porrett Collier and Walter Morrison, Members of 
Parliament; the first election under the second Peform 
Act. P. Stuart Lane, an unsuccessful candidate. 
Soon after the election, which took place in Novem¬ 
ber, Sir Eobt. P. Collier became Attorney-General, 
and was re-elected without opposition in December. 

1869. —William Lnscombe, Mayor. The Eev. John 
Hatchard, Vicar of St. Andrew’s Church, died in 
December. Mr. Hatchard had been for 45 years vicar 
of this parish, and his funeral was a very marked one. 
“ The procession, which was conducted by a posse of 
policemen, under the direction of Superintendents 
Wreford and Thomas, was formed at the vicarage, 
in Westwell-street, at half-past 10 o’clock, and such 
were its dimensions that the intervening space be¬ 
tween the vicarage and St. Andrew’s Church was 
completely filled up. It was headed by a verger, 
bearing a draped mace, next to whom were the officia¬ 
ting clergymen, attired in surplices, namely, the Revs. 
H. A. Greaves, Vicar of Charles; F. L. Bazeley, H. 
Gibbs, Curates of St. Andrew’s; P. Holmes, Manna- 
mead; and Boyton Kirk. Following were Mr. Square, 


FUNERAL OF REV. JOHN HATCHARD. 


461 


surgeon; Mr. A. Hingston, the deceased’s executor; 
Mr. Gill, solicitor; Messrs. F. Hicks and J. W. 
Matthews, Churchwardens; Mr. W. P.' H. White, 
Parish Clerk; and Mr. Fowler, undertaker. The coffin, 
which was of polished oak, and carried by twelve 
hearers, came next in order, and on it was the inscrip¬ 
tion—“John Hatchard, M.A., Yicar of St: Andrew’s, 
born May, 1793, died December, 1869. The chief 
mourners were Commanded Hatchard, B.N.; Eev. J. 
Alton Hatchard, St. Leonard’s, Sussex; Mr. S. H. 
Hatchard, sons of the deceased; Eev. J. Coult- 
hard, Dr. Bright, and Mr. W. Bazeley, Devonport, 
sons-in-law. Eight servants of the household came 
next, and following them was the Mayor (Mr. W. 
Luscombe), who was accompanied by the following 
magistrates, members and officers of the Corporation— 
Messrs. A. Hubbard (ex-Mayor), W. Burnell, T. H. 
Bulteel, G. Mennie, J. Skardon, E. Hicks, H. Brown, 
J. B. Wilcocks, J. Kelly, C. Norrington, E. W. 
Stevens, S. Jackson, T. Nicholson, S. C. Parkhouse, 
C. S. Skardon, W. H. Luke, E. C. Serpell, I. Latimer, 
J. Wills, B. Sparrow, I. Watts, J. King, T. Pollard, 
J. A. Page, J. Norrington, W. Auten, H. E. Hurrell, 
C. C. Whiteford (Town Clerk), E. E. Moore (Clerk 
of the Peace), T. C. Brian (Borough Coroner), C. 
W. Croft (Borough Treasurer), E. Hodge (Borough 
Surveyor), and J. Eowley (Sanitary Inspector). Several 
clergymen attired in their robes were present walking 
two deep, and amongst them were the Eevs. J. E. Bisk, 
St. Andrew’s Chapel; Flavel Cook, Liskeard; J. Bliss, 
S. W. E. Bird, St. James-the-Less; F. Bellamy, St. 
Mary’s, .Devonport; F. Courtney, Charles’ Chapel; 


462 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


Sydney Thelwall, Charles’ Church; J. Wilcocks, 
E. M. Blakiston, St. Peter’s, Eldad; J. Fletcher, Comp¬ 
ton ; E. Gardner, St. Michael’s, Stoke; T. A. Bewes; 
T. Furneaux, St. German’s; M. Dimond-Churchward, 
St. Paul’s, Stonehouse; W. H. Nantes, St. George’s, 
Stonehouse; W. Dunning, Torpoint; F. Barnes, Trin¬ 
ity; — Doyle, I. Hawker, Boyal Albert Hospital; C. 
Coombs, Sutton-on-Plyni ; — Arthur, Tamerton; J. 
Bartlett, Millbrook; J. Burrows, Totnes; N. Proctor, 
E.N.; J. Yonge, D. Yonge, Newton Ferrers; and E. 
Lane, Wembury. The Eev. W. J. St. Aubyn, Eector 
of Stoke Damerel, was prevented, by illness, from 
attending. Then followed a long line of gentlemen, 
walking in fours, who attended as a mark of respect 
for the departed. Several shops in Bedford-street were 
partially closed, and the thoroughfare was completely 
lined with spectators. Arriving at the church, the 
coffin was placed in the chancel during the preliminary 
service for the burial of the dead. The Eev. F. L. 
Bazeley read the sentences, the Eev. Dr. Holmes the 
first psalm, the Eev. Boyton Kirk the second psalm, 
and the Eev. Dr. Gibbes the lesson. The procession 
being re-formed, as it was about to leave the church, 
Mr. Clark, the organist, played the “ Dead March in 
Saul,” and the subsequent part of the service was 
read at the vault, which was situated at the east end 
of the church, by the Eev. H. A. Greaves. The bells 
of the Church were muffled, and rung a solemn knell 
at half-past 9 o’clock, and on the completion of the 
service the tenor bell intoned the number of the years 
of the deceased’s age—76.” 

1870.—Eobert Code Serpell, Mayor. Sir Eobert 





OPENING OF THE DRILL HALL. 


463 


Porrett Collier, re-elected Member of Parliament on 
occasion of his accepting the Becordership of Bristol. 
After the election considerable objections were raised 
to Sir Bobert Collier holding the appointment, and he 
at once resigned it. 

Foundation stone of the new municipal buildings, 
guildhall and courts laid on the 28th of June, by 
the Mayor, Mr. W. Luscombe, with appropriate 
ceremonies. 

1871.—Isaac Latimer, Mayor. Three memorable 
trials, of very decisive character, took place this 
year. The first was a court-martial, held at Devon- 
port, to enquire into the cause of the stranding of 
H.M.S. Agincourt on the Pearl Bock, which opened 
on July 26th, and lasted for ten days; the second, 
an action for assault, brought by Mr. Nicholas Were, 
solicitor, against Captain Augustus S. Murray, B.A., 
the result being one farthing damages for the 
plaintiff; the third, an action for libel, brought by 
Mr. Isaac Latimer, proprietor of the Western Daily 
Mercury , against the Western Morning News , which 
resulted in a verdict for Mr. Latimer, with damages 
£400., and costs against the Moining News Company. 
The Court of Common Pleas was moved for a new 
trial on November 4th, but it was unanimously 
refused. 

July 25tli.—The fine colossal granite figure of 
Sir Francis Drake, the work of Mr. S. Trevenen, a 
rising sculptor, of Plymouth, raised to its lofty 
position on the point of the gable of the new 
municipal buildings. The Volunteer Drill Hall, 




464 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


capable of holding 10,000 people, and of drilling 
800 men, with armoury, news rooms, residences for 
staff-sergeants, and spacious drill grounds, opened 
on the 31st of July, when two grand concerts were 
given in the building, the one in the morning, the 
other in the evening, the orchestra consisting of 30 
clarionets, 4 flauts, 3 hautbois, 4 bassoons, 2 bass 
clarionets, 4 contra-bassos, 8 bombardos, 6 eupho¬ 
niums, 4 alto-horns, 8 French horns, 4 Sax-horns, 
8 trombones, 18 cornets, 7 trumpets, 4 fugle horns, 
1 bass-drum, 1 cymbal, 1 triangle, 1 tamborine, 
1 Turkish crescent, 35 side drums, and 4 bag-pipes, 
under the conductorship and direction of Mr. Winter- 
bottom, the bandmaster of the Boyal Marines. 

The British Medical Association held its thirty- 
ninth annual meeting at Plymouth and Devonport, 
commencing on the 8th August, under the presidency 
of Mr. J. Whipple, of Plymouth. The proceedings 
commenced with Council Meetings in the afternoon, 
and in the evening a general meeting, very largely 
attended, was held in the Assembly Booms at the 
Boyal Hotel. Amongst those present were the Earl 
of Mount Edgcumbe, the Mayors of Plymouth and 
Devonport, Dr. Sibson, Dr. Anstie, Mr. Ernest Hart, 
Dr. Lord, Mr. Sampson Gamgee, Dr. Day Goss, 
Mr. Benson Baker, Mr. Macnamara, Dr. A. P. 
Stewart, Dr. Wilbraham Falconer, Dr. Hextall Smith, 
and a very large number of members. The Mayor 
of Plymouth, Mr. Serpell, accompanied by Messrs. 
C. C. Whiteford (Town Clerk), J. Kelly, F. Hicks, 
I. Latimer, and A. Hubbard, attended as a deputation 
from the Corporation, and presented the following 


MEDICAL ASSOCIATION MEETING. 


465 


congratulatory address to the members of the Asso¬ 
ciation, which was read by the Town Clerk:— 

“ To the President and Members of the British Medical Association.—We, the Council 
of the borough of Plymouth desire, in the name and on behalf of the burgesses, our 
constituents, and the inhabitants at large, to offer to you our cordial welcome on this 
occasion of your visit to this town. It is our privilege on various occasions to offer 
such a welcome -to distinguished guests, but we have never experienced a more real 
satisfaction than we now enjoy in hailing your arrival among us, and expressing our 
admiration and respect for the scientific and philanthropic pursuits which form the 
objects of your Association. The profession to which you have devoted yourselves is 
distinguished alike by its labours in mitigating the horrors of war, and in assuaging 
suffering and arresting the progress of disease in its ordinary and epidemic forms. These 
services to humanity rendered on the battle field, and in our hospitals and infirmaries, 
and in the dwellings of our poorer classes, often without regard to personal interests or 
personal safety, have obtained for you a deservedly large measure of the public gratitude. 
As constituting the Local Board of health for this district we feel a peculiar interest in 
your labours in the cause of sanitary improvement, and we anticipate a valuable addition 
to our sources of instruction and information in the discussions which will be devoted 
to this all important subject. We offer you our best wishes for the success of your 
Association, and our willing co-operation in all that may facilitate your proceedings, 
and render agreeable your visit to this town and its interesting neighbourhood.— Robert 
C. SERrELL, Mayor.” 

The Mayor then gave the members of the Asso¬ 
ciation a hearty welcome to Plymouth, and the 
retiring president, I)r. E. Charlton, of Newcastle- 
upon-Tyne, responded in an eloquent speech, and 
was followed by the president, Mr. Whipple, who 
gave a kind of historical sketch of the town. The 
next day the meetings of the Association were held 
at Devonport, when the Mayor and Corporation 
attended, and an address of welcome was read by 
the Town Clerk. Meetings of sections were held 
at different public buildings in Plymouth, at which 
scientific papers were read. In the evening the 
President’s Soiree was held at the Eoyal Hotel, 
Plymouth, and was attended by upwards of five 
hundred ladies and gentlemen. The third day was 
occupied by a “temperance breakfast,” given at the 
Royal Hotel, by the National Temperance League, 
and in various business and sectional meetings, and 

p 2 



466 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


in the evening a dinner at St. George’s Hall, Stone- 
house. The fourth, and last day, was occupied in 
sectional meetings, and in various excursions in the 
neighbourhood. The concluding meeting was held 
at the Eoyal Hotel in the evening. 

The West of England Horse and Hog Show opened 
at Plymouth on the 8th of August, in the new Bide 
Drill Hall, under the presidency of the Earl of Mount 
Edgcumbe. Nearly 150 horses, and over 300 dogs 
were exhibited, and the show remained open three 
days. A Luncheon, at which the Earl of Mount 
Edgcumbe presided, took place the first day. Prizes 
were, as usual, awarded in the various classes, and 
Mrs. Ivate Badcliffe, the famous equestrian, from 
the Agricultural Hall, Islington, rode the horses 
over the stone fence twice each day. August 11th.— 
A meeting, to advocate the immediate suspension of 
the Contagious Diseases Acts was held, the Yicar of 
Charles presiding. 

The annual meeting of the Associated Chambers 
of Commerce was this year held in Plymouth. The 
meeting commenced on the 26th September, under 
the chairmanship of Mr. Sampson S. Lloyd, of 
Birmingham, at the Boyal Hotel, the Mayors of 
Plymouth and Devonport and a large number of 
members and delegates attending. The business of 
the meeting continued over three days, and on the 
second day the Plymouth Chamber of Commerce 
entertained the Association at a splendid banquet 
at the Boyal Hotel. Mr. Alexander Hubbard, Deputy 
Chairman of the Chamber, presided, and on his right 
were Mr. Sampson S. Lloyd, the Chairman of the 



FREE LIBRARY AND READING ROOM. 


467 


Association; Sir Massey Lopes, Bart, M.P.; Mr. W. 
Morrison, M.P.; Sir Edward W. Watkins, Bart; 
Pear-Admiral Houston Stewart; Lieut-Colonel Hill, 
Cardiff; and the Mayor of Devonport. On the left 
of the chairman were the Earl of Mount Edgcumbe, 
Mr. C. M. Norwood, M.P.; Mr. J. J). Lewis, M.P.; 
Mr. J. Whitwell, M.P.; Mr. Behrens, Bradford; 
and the Mayor of Plymouth (Mr. E. C. Serpell), 
and there was a large number of guests. The 
principal speakers were those already named. 

October 7th.—A meeting called by requisition to the 
Mayor, was held for the purpose of considering the 
desirability of establishing a Free Beading Boom and 
a Free Library for the borough, at which the Mayor 
(Mr. Serpell) presided. At this meeting the following 
resolutions were carried:—“ That this meeting, being 
impressed with the value of higher education to all 
classes of the community, considers the establishment 
of a Free Library and Beading Booms in Plymouth, 
under the provisions of the Public Museums and 
Library Act, 1855, desirable.” “That the removal of 
the municipal offices from the present Guildhall, and 
the erection of the new hall, affords the town an 
opportunity of providing for the reception of a Free 
Library and Public Beading Boom in Plymouth at a 
small cost.” “ That a memorial embodying the above 
resolutions, be presented to the Town Council, re¬ 
questing that body to take the necessary steps to estab¬ 
lish a Free Library and Beading Booms under the Public 
Library Act, 1855, and that a committee be appointed 
with a view to giving effect to the opinion of this 
meeting on the subject.” And, “ that voluntary sub- 




468 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


scriptions be solicited from the town for the establish¬ 
ment of a Free Library, relying for its future support 
on the public rates, and that a subscription list be 
opened at once.” Subscriptions were also entered 
into, and donations of books promised. 

October 16th.—Plymouth was visited by the ex- 
Emperor of the French, Louis Napoleon, and the 
Prince Imperial and suite. The Eoyal party left 
Torquay, where they had been sojourning for a few 
weeks, at 10-9 a.m., and arrived by railway at 
Plymouth at 12-25, where an immense concourse 
of spectators was assembled. At the station three 
carriages from the Eoyal Hotel were in waiting. In 
the first the Emperor, the Prince Imperial, Prince 
Murat, and Sir Lawrence Palk, Bart., M.P., took 
their seats, and in the other carriages followed Count 
Clary, Count B’Avilliar, Mons. Conneau (medical 
attendant), and Sir Thomas Hick Lauder. The route 
taken was by way of the Duke of Cornwall Hotel, 
the Crescent, the Eoyal Hotel and Theatre, where 
the Emperor and Prince Imperial acknowledged the 
salutes of a small crowd which had assembled there, 
and so up Loekyer-street—the British and Female 
Orphan Asylum being pointed out to the Emperor— 
to the Hoe, being admitted on the Hoe through the 
park gates at the lodge entrance, which had been 
opened by Mr. J. Wills, the Chairman of the Hoe 
Committee. Arriving at the top of the Hoe, near 
the Camera Obscura, a halt was made, and here the 
Emperor made enquiries as to the principal points in 
the panorama, and, expressing his delight at the charms 
of the scene, proposed to get out and walk awhile. 




LOUIS NAPOLEON AT PLYMOUTH. 


4G9 


u He liacl, however, counted without his host. By this 
time the crowd from the railway station, making a 
short cut by way of Citadel-road, joined by contin¬ 
gents from the centre of the town, just made aware 
of the Emperor’s presence, came rushing on the Hoe, 
and, cheering most lustily, surrounded the carriages. 
A walk was thus impossible; the cheers were acknow¬ 
ledged, and the party drove through the gates at the 
Citadel end, and quietly proceeded around the sea- 
drive towards Millbay. Erom Millbay the route was 
through Stonehouse, past the Marine Barracks, and 
on to the Boyal William Victualling Yard, where, 
above the Queen’s Steps, some twenty or thirty naval 
and marine officers in full dress, with several ladies, 
had assembled. Here the Emperor and suite were 
received by Admiral Houston Stewart, Superintendent 
of the Dockyard, and by Mr. Churcher, Superin¬ 
tendent of the Victualling Yard; Capt. Coode, of the 
flag-ship, Boyal Adelaide; Elag-Lieut. Watson, &c. 
Erom here the party embarked for Mount Edgcumbe 
in the Port Admiral’s barge, scarlet cloth being laid 
from the carriage down the steps to the boat. At 
Cremyll beach the Earl of Mount Edgcumbe, accom¬ 
panied by Col. the Hon. Charles Edgcumbe and the 
Hon. George Edgcumbe, received his distinguished 
visitors, who, in four of the Earl’s carriages, were 
driven to the entrance of the gardens and pleasure 
grounds, where Lady Ernestine and the Hon. Mrs. 
Edgcumbe joined them. Through the Italian garden, 
French garden, and the wilder English garden, the 
Emperor walked, and found much to admire. A short 
stay was made on the walk overlooking Barnpool and 


470 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


the Sound; and from thence, the party proceeded to 
the house, where luncheon was served. After lunch 
the Emperor and the Prince Imperial were received 
by the Countess of Mount Edgcumhe, and for 
upwards of an hour enjoyed a drive around the Park, 
and about half past-three Cremyll was regained, and 
the visitors, again taking to the Port Admiral’s barge, 
were towed by a steam launch up the Hamoaze, above 
the Gun Wharf, passing on their way the flag-ship, 
the boys’ training ships, the Dockyard, the gunnery 
ship, and Admiral Seymour’s flag-ship, the Narcissus. 
Eeturning to the Victualling Yard, the Emperor 
thanked Admiral Stewart and Mr. Churcher for their 
kindness, and the carriages were then resorted to, and 
the route to the railway station was taken through 
the whole length of Union-street.” The Royal party 
left by the 4-10 p.m. train. A few days afterwards 
Plymouth was visited by another celebrity, Sir Roger 
Tichborne, the claimant of the Ticliborne estates, who 
took up his quarters at the Royal Hotel, and on the 
evening of the 19th, occupied a private box at the 
Theatre, the “observed of all observers,” when every 
part of the house was crammed; large numbers of 
persons being unable to obtain admission. Blondin 
also this year performed at Plymouth. 

We bring our Annals to a close by briefly record¬ 
ing four important events which followed close one 
upon another in the eleventh month of the year, and 
for which, in fact, we kept back the printing of this 
portion of our work. They are the following:— 
The appointment of Sir Robert Porrett Collier, H.M. 
Attorney-General, senior Member of Parliament for 


ELEVATION OE SIR R. P. COLLIER. 


471 


tlie borough of Plymouth, to the Judicial Bench ; 
the elevation of Mr. Isaac Latimer to the office of 
Mayor of the borough; the adoption by the town 
of the Free Libraries and Museums Act; and the 
election of Edward Bates, Esq., as M.P. for Ply¬ 
mouth, in room of Sir P. P. Collier, resigned. 

Sir Bobert P. Collier, son of the late John Collier, 
Esq., who was M.P. for Plymouth from 1832 to 1841, 
by his wife, Emma, daughter of the late Bobert 
Porrett, Esq., was born in 1817 ; was educated at 
the Plymouth Grammar School and at Trinity 
College, Cambridge, where he graduated as B.A. 
in 1841. He was called to the bar at the Inner 
Temple (of which he is a Bencher) in 1843, and was 
made Q.C. in 1854, with a patent of precedence. He 
was Counsel to the Admiralty and Judge Advocate 
of the Fleet from 1859 till 1863, when he became 
Solicitor-General, and was knighted. In 1868 Sir 
Bobert was appointed Attorney-General, and in 1870 
accepted the Becordership of Bristol (having for some 
time held that of Penzance), which office, however, 
he a few days afterwards resigned at the request of 
his Plymouth constituents. In November of the 
present year Sir Bobert Collier was sworn in as one 
of II.M. Privy Council, and a few days afterwards 
received his patent as one of the Judges of the Court 
of Common Pleas, from whence he was transferred— 
much controversy taking place upon the question of 
this elevation being an evasion of the recent Act of 
Parliament—to the Judicial Committee of the Privy 
Council. Sir Bobert married, in 1844, Isabella, 
daughter of William Bose Bose, Esq., of Eton-place, 



472 


HISTORY OR PLYMOUTH. 


London, by whom lie lias issue two sons and one 
daughter. He had sat as M.P. for Plymouth since 
1852. 

On the 3rd November a public meeting of the 
ratepayers of Plymouth was held in the Mechanics’ 
Institute to consider the desirability of adopting, for 
the town, the provisions of the Free Libraries Act 
of 1855. The Mayor, Mr. E. C. Serpell, presided, 
and opened the proceedings. Mr. Alfred Looker 
proposed, and Mr. J. N. Bennett seconded, the first 
resolution—“That the Free Libraries Act, 1855, be 
adopted for the Municipal Borough of Plymouth,” 
which being supported by several speakers, was 
carried by an overwhelming majority of the burgesses; 
and by the whole of the mixed meeting, with the 
exception of one dissentient hand. 

On the 9th November, Mr. Isaac Latimer, pro¬ 
prietor of the Western Daily Mercury , was elected 
Mayor of Plymouth for the ensuing year. 

On Friday, the 17th, the writ for the election of a 
Member of Parliament for this borough, in the room 
of Sir Bobert Porrett Collier, was received by the 
Mayor, and the Town Sergeants and Town Crier at 
once proceeded, according to the usual custom, to 
proclaim it in several places. First at the Guildhall, 
then at the Barbican, and amongst other places at 
what is called “New Tree. ” This “New Tree” was 
at the point of junction of Westwell-street and 
Bedford-street, but has since passed out of the 
knowledge of the oldest inhabitant. The writ was 
proclaimed by the Town Crier, in his ancient official 



BOIIOUGII ELECTION. 


473 


costume—something like a parish beadle. He was 
accompanied by the Sergeant-at-Mace, who carried 
one of the maces, as his insignia of office. The 
antiquated ceremony excited a great deal of interest. 
The usual order as to the military was also issued 
from the Assistant-Adjutant General’s office. “ Tues¬ 
day next being the day appointed for the nomination, 
and Wednesday that for taking the poll, for the 
election of a member for the borough of Plymouth, 
the provisions of the 2nd section of 10 Yic., cap. 21, 
will be complied with. Ho soldier, therefore, within 
the garrison of Plymouth, Devonport, and Stonehouse, 
or within two miles of the Three Towns, will be 
allowed to go out of the barrack or quarters at which 
he may be stationed during Tuesday and Wednesday 
next, unless for the purpose of mounting or relieving 
guard, or for giving his vote at such election; and 
every soldier allowed to go out for any such purpose 
within the limits aforesaid shall return to his barracks 
or quarters with all convenient speed as soon as his 
guard shall have been relieved or vote tendered.” 
The nomination took place on the 21st, the Mayor, 
Isaac Latimer, Esq., ably presiding as returning 
officer, on hustings erected in front of the Eoyal Hotel 
and Theatre, when Mr. Alfred Looker, solicitor, of 
Plymouth, an advanced Liberal, was proposed by Mr. 
Francis nicks, seconded by Mr. Alexander Hubbard; 
and Mr. Edward Bates, shipowner, of Liverpool, Con¬ 
servative, was proposed by Mr. Charles T. Bewes, 
seconded by Mr. W. F. Moore, the show of hands 
being in favour of Mr. E, Bates. The polling took 
place next day, and at the close, at 4 o’clock, the 


474 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


numbers were announced as follows: 


For Mr. Bates . 1753 

For Mr. Booker . 1511 

Majority for Mr. Bates . 242 


Mr. Bates was therefore declared by the Mayor to 
be duly elected. It was computed that upwards of 
15,000 persons were present at the declaration. 

At the latter end of the year the small-pox broke 
out to an alarming extent in the town, and on the 
29th November a joint meeting of the Sanitary Com¬ 
mittee of the Local Board of Health and of the 
principal members of the Board of Guardians was 
held at the Guildhall, for the purpose of considering 
what steps should be taken in the emergency to 
enable persons afflicted with the small-pox to receive 
proper and immediate attention. The Town Clerk 
and the Clerk to the Board of Guardians were 
present. The subject was carefully considered, and 
every desire expressed by both bodies to afford 
accommodation to the afflicted. It was suggested 
that the Board of Guardians should allow a field to 
be used near the Workhouse, on which a temporary 
building might be erected, capable of affording 
accommodation for from 50 to 60 persons. The 
Sanitary Committee undertook to pay for its erection 
out of the funds of the Local Board of Health. This 
was eventually agreed to, and resolutions were passed 
to be brought under the consideration of the Board 
of Guardians. The following Board-day the subject 
was fully discussed, and resulted in favour of the 
hospital being erected. 







CHAPTER IX. 


SITUATION-CHARACTER-STREETS-MUNICIPAL GOVERN- 

MENT-POPULATION STATISTICS-MARKETS, FAIRS, AND 

SHAMBLES-ANCIENT REGULATIONS REGARDING BREWERS, 

BUTCHERS, AND OTHERS. 

Plymouth, the oldest, and the principal and most 
important, of the “Three Towns,” comprising the 
“ Metropolis of the West,” is situated at the con¬ 
fluence of the Tamar and the Plym, at the extreme 
south-west corner of Devonshire, and divided from 
Cornwall only by the River Tamar. Unlike that of 
many towns, the origin of the name of Plymouth is 
involved in no obscurity. It is simply the mouth of 
the River Plym , at which the town lies, and its 
geographical position is thus (in like manner as 
Dartmouth, Exmouth, and other places) correctly 
indicated by its name. Of the two rivers upon which 
the “ Three Towns ” stand, old Michael Drayton 
in his Polyolbion thus writes :— 

“ Proude Tamer swoopes along, with such a lustie traine 
As fits so brave a flood, two Countries that divides ; 

So, to increase her strength, shee from her equall side3 

Receives their several rills—” 

* # # * * 

“ Plym, that claimes by right 
The clirist’ning of that Bay, which beares her nobler name. 

Upon the British coast, what ship yet ever came 

That not of Plymouth heares, where those brave Navies lie 

From Canon’s thund’ring throats that all the world defie. 

Which to invasive spoile when th’ English list to draw, 

Have check’d Iberia’s pride, and held her oft in awe, 

Oft furnishing our dames with India’s rar’st devices, 

And lent us gold and pearle, rich silks and daintie spices.” 









476 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


The situation of the town is remarkably pleasant 
and commanding, and the whole district has been 
commended for its extreme beauty by all who 
have written upon the locality. Westcote, in his 
“ Yiew of Devonshire,” 1630, says:— 

“And now are we ready to enter the fair Town 
of Plymouth, at the most south-west lip of this 
province. Here Tamar, in finishing his course, is 
to pay his tribute, and emptyeth itself into the 
ocean; and, coming from Hartland, hath measured 
the breadth of this country, and finds it by direct 
line and our ancient computation 35 miles at the 
least; but by the new measure, more; and to follow 
him in his pleasant vagaries, either for his own ease 

♦ 

or country’s profit, he hath doubled the measure. 
How will we cast anchor and take a view of this 
famous haven. This so much renowned town is 
situated in the most south-west part of this province, 
which, by the Ptiver Tamar on the west, and Plyni 
(of whom it borroweth name) on the east, is demi- 
insulated. Put concerning the name, while the West 
Saxon kingdom kept his state, this haven was called 
Ostium Tamaris, Tamar-mouth, or Tamar-worth, as 
you may read in the life of St. Indractus. And in 
this river’s commendation Alexandra Hccliam thus 
versified:— 

" Leogrite Tamaris divisor Cornubheque, 

Indigenas ditat pinguibus Isiciis.” 

Tamar that logers doth divide from Cornwall in the west, 

The neighbour-dwellers rich serves with salmon of the best. 

These two rivers united make it a most excellent 
and safe road for shipping, and fit to take the 
opportunity of the first wind to set forth either west, 
east, or north.” 



SITUATION OF PLYMOUTH. 


477 


The town itself lies, for a considerable part, in a 
natural hollow, but it has gradually extended itself 
up the heights in every direction until it reaches the 
sea on one side, and Stoke and other surrounding 
places on the others. To the sea-ward is the Hoe, 
a magnificent, extensive, and highly elevated tract 
of ground, forming one of the most delightful of 
promenades, and overlooking every part of Ply¬ 
mouth Sound with its splendid breakwater, its 
fortified Island of St. Nicholas, and the -open 
English Channel beyond, with the Eddystone Light¬ 
house on the extreme horizon. To the left is the 
Citadel—one of the important fortifications of the 
kingdom—whose guns command the Sound, the 
mouth of the Channel, the estuary of the Plym or 
Catwater, and the mouth of the Tamar or Hainoaze; 
Mount Batten, with its Martello tower; Sutton 
Pool, with its array of ships; Catdown, with its 
quarries; and Staddon Heights, Bovisand, the Shag- 
stone, and the Mewstone. To the right lies Millbay, 
with its admirable pier from whence steamers 
depart to almost all parts of the world, its war 
prison, its warehouses, and its many other important 
features; the Great -Western Docks, the Bailway 
Stations, and the Boyal William Victualling Yard, 
at Stonchouse; and, further on, Devonport, with 
its Dockyards, its Gun Wharves, its batteries, 
its Tubular Bridge, its Steam Ferry, and its Guard- 
ships ; Mount Edgcumbe, stretching from Cremyll, at 
the mouth of Hainoaze, to Maker, opposite the end 
of the Breakwater; Kingsand, Cawsand, Penlee 
Point, and the Bame Head. Landward from the 




478 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


Hoe, to the right is the Citadel, with the Laira and 
the open country, as a background, stretching out 
towards Tavistock and Poborough; in front is the 
town, hounded by Stoke Damerel and the heights 
beyond; and to the left is the Esplanade and 
Elliot-terrace, with the mingled towns spreading out 
in every direction. 

The streets of “ Old Town” are mostly narrow 
and crooked; but many of those of the more modern 
parts are remarkably fine and wide and lined with 
elegant buildings. Much improvement has, of late 
years, taken place even in the worst parts of the 
town, under the careful management of the Local 
Board of Health, and the result has been that instead 
of Plymouth being, as was officially reported in 
1853, “ One of the most unhealthy (because uncleanly) 
towns in the kingdom,” it has now become remarkably 
healthy and pleasant in every respect. Of some 
parts of the Old Town, the Government Sanitary 
Inspector, Mr. Pawlinson, thus reported in 1853 :— 
“Many of the old back streets of Plymouth are narrow, 
crooked, and steep, with a wide-jointed rough pave¬ 
ment and a dirty surface-channel down the centre. 
The old houses are very irregularly built, both as 
regards their elevation and style of architecture. 
Originally, many houses, now in ruins, were erected 
as residences for the nobility and gentry of the town; 
but from being the abodes of those possessing wealth, 
they now give partial shelter to the improvident, the 
vagrant, the vicious, and the unfortunate. The quaint 
carving on the stonework looks out of place; the walls 
are half in ruins, the gables are shattered, and foul 



SANITARY REPORT. 


479 


weather-stains of damp blotch the surface. Within, 
matters are even worse ; the rooms are now divided 
and sub-divided on every floor; the staircase is 
darkened, its massive hand-rail and carved balusters 
are crippled and broken; the once firm stairs are now 
rickety and dangerous; the stucco-finished plastering 
is blackened and in holes, the dusty and rotten laths 
being in many places bare; the landing windows, 
where the space is open, have neither frame nor glass, 
so that the rain drives in right and left; make-shift 
doors lead into small spaces let off as separate tene¬ 
ments. The narrow space of street betwixt the 
houses is further contracted by rude looking poles 
rigged out of windows on either side, story above 
story, on which clothes are hung to dry. Thus a free 
flow of air is impeded, and an atmosphere, usually 
very damp, is made more so. In the same street 
houses may be found which were erected in Queen 
Elizabeth’s reign, with others of more modern date; 
the walls are of hewn stone, of granite or limestone 
rubble, or of brick. Some have been plastered over, 
and others have been covered with slates; some are 
plain vertical fronts, and others project at each story. 
Out of these streets, covered passages lead into still 
narrower, dirtier, and more crowded courts. In many 
instances the ground rises abruptly, and slippery 
half-worn limestone steps lead to houses more ruinous 
and more crowded than those fronting the street. 
One privy serves a whole court, and this is usually 
filthy; the cess-pool full, overflowing, and the foetid 
refuse stagnant over the surface. An external stand¬ 
pipe, the water on only for one hour in twenty-four, 


480 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


supplies water to an entire court with many tenants; 
tubs, mugs, pots, pans, and troughs being placed in 
the yard, on the stairs, landings, or in the filthy 
rooms, to absorb all the deleterious gases of the place. 
Within, the furniture accords with the premises; it 
is old, rotten, broken, and ruinous. One room serves 
for a family of father, mother, and children—not 
unfrequently grown up sons and daughters. Dogs 
and fowl inhabit the same apartment, and, in some 
instances, ten human beings.” 

With this state of things it might naturally be 
expected that in such visitations of the cholera as 
those which occurred in 1832 and in 1849, the 
proportion of deaths would be very large, and such 
was the fact. The deaths from cholera alone from 
June 15th to September 24th, 1832, in Plymouth, 
were 702, the cases being 1805; and in 1849 the 
deaths from cholera between the 4th of July and the 
8th of November were 819—this, without any 
reference to the adjoining towns. Since then the 
improvements which have been effected have tended 
materially to decrease even the ordinary rate of 
mortality in the town. In the narrow streets which 
characterise the old parts of the town, many fine 
remains of ancient domestic architecture still exist, 
and among these are some remarkably rich houses 
with over-hanging stories and enriched gables and 
doorways. Some of the finest and most interesting 
of these will be found in Notte-street (already 
noticed on page 81) and in St. Andrew’s-street, but 
they exist in many other parts of the town. The 
principal streets are— 





PRINCIPAL STREETS. 


481 


Bedford Street, leading from George-street and 
Frankfort-street, to Whimple-street and Old Town- 
street. In it are St. Andrew’s Church, the Devon 
and Cornwall Bank and the Globe Hotel. This street 
has, of late years, been very considerably widened, 
and the buildings which now line its south side are 
of a majestic character. Great improvements have 
been effected at the east end of the street by re¬ 
moving some old buildings and taking away a por¬ 
tion of the churchyard of St. Andrew’s. 

George Street, leading from Bedford-street at its 
junction with Frankfort-street, Bussell-street and 
Cornwall-street, to Union-street and Lockyer-street, 
and to the Bail way Station, the Great Western 
Docks, Millbay, etc. In it are the Boyal Hotel, 
Theatre, Assembly Booms, Athenaeum, the Baptist 
Chapel, and Harvey’s Hotel. At the junction of 
these two streets with Lockyer-street and Bank of 
England-place is erected the Gothic Clock Tower, 
already described, and in the latter place is the 
Branch Bank of England. 

Union Street and Union Boad ; a remarkably 
long street, leading from George-street to Stonehouse 
Bridge, and forming a line of direct communication 
between the Three Towns. In it are St. James’s Hall, 
the Octagon, etc. Along this street, which is crossed 
by a bridge of the South Devon and Cornwall 
Bailways, a tramway, or street railway, is laid down, 
by which means a quicker and more convenient 
traffic is carried on between Plymouth, Stonehouse 
and 1 Devonport. 

q, 


482 


HISTORY OP PLYMOUTH. 


Lockyer Street, leading from the junction of 
George-street and Union-street, to the Hoe. In it 
are St. Andrew’s Chapel, the Royal Hotel, and the 
Female Orphan Asylum. From this street Alfred- 
place leads to Millbay and Stonehouse; Windsor- 
terrace, to Saltram-place and the Citadel; and 
Princess-street to Princess-square, and so on, by 
Princess-place and Notte-street, to the Parade, the 
Barbican, Sutton Pool, etc. 

Whimple Street, in continuation of Bedford-street, 
leads from the junction of that street with Old Town- 
street, to Looe-street, for the Wharves; andBuckwell- 
street, for Briton-side. In it are the old Guildhall, the 
Post-office, and-the IS!aval Bank. From this street 
High-street leads down to the Parade and Sutton 
Pool, and Kinterbury-street to Treville-street. 

Old Town Street leads from the junction of 
Bedford-street with Whimple-street, to Tavistock- 
street and Saltash-street. At the head of this street 
formerly stood the Conduit, erected in the mayoralty 
of Sir John Trelawny in 1598. It has been removed 
some years, and the armorial and other tablets are 
built into the wall of the Reservoir on North-hill. 

Tavistock Street, leading from Old Town-street to 
North-hill, and so on to Dartmoor and Tavistock. 
In it are the Cattle Market and Sherwell Chapel. 

North Hill, from Tavistoek-street, by Torring- 
ton-place, Saltash-road, Pennycomequick, Eldad and 
No-place, to Mill Bridge and Stoke. 


PRINCIPAL STREETS. 


483 


Cobourg Street, from Richmond-street to James- 
street and the North-road. 

York . Street, leading with Russcll-street, from 
Bedford-street and George-street to St. Micheel’s- 
terrace, Pennycomequick, the Cemetery and the 
Devonport Prisons, etc. 

Frankfort Street, leading with King-street, High- 
street and Fore-street, to Stonehouse Bridge. 

Treyille Street, from Old ToAvn-street to Bilbury- 
street, Briton-side, etc., and so on to the Exeter-road. 

Southside Street, from Notte-street to the Bar¬ 
bican, Sutton Pool, the Pier, Lambhay Point and the 
Citadel. 

High Street, leading from the Guildhall to Notte- 
street, the Parade, Sutton Pool, etc. 

Hoegate Street, leading from Notte-street to the 
Hoe and the Citadel. 

Cornayall Street, leading from the junction of 
Bedford-street with George-street, Russell-street and 
Frankfort-street, to the Market. In it are the Public 
Library and the Freemason’s Hall. 

Bank Street, from Bedford-street to Corirwall- 
street and the Market. 

Westwell Street, from Bedford-street to Princess- 
square. In it are the NeAY Guildhall and the 
magnificent pile of municipal buildings (Avliich are 
also approached from St. AndreAY’s Church) and the 
Mechanics’ Institution. 

Princess Square, containing the Mechanics’ Insti¬ 
tution and the Grammar School, is approached from 
Lockyer-street by Princess-street; from Bedford- 


484 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


street by West well-street; from the Hoe by Windsor- 
street; and from St. Andrew’s and the Guildhall by 
Catherine-street. 

Tile Crescent and Buckland-terrace lie near the 
Bailway Station. Hear these are the Boyal Eye 
Infirmary, the Duke of Cornwall, the Albion, and 
the Mount Pleasant Hotels. 

Portland Square is approached from James-street 
and the Tavistock-road. 

The Esplanade is at the head of Lockyer-street, on 
the Hoe. 

Elliot Terrace, in a line west of the Esplanade, 
is approached by Elliot-street, at the head of 
Athenaeum-street. The Boyal Western Yacht Club 
is in the same terrace. 

West IIoe Terrace, overlooking the Sound, is by 
the seaside, and is approached from the Hoe and 
from Millbay-road. 

Plymouth is 216J miles S.W. by W. from London by 
the old road computation, and 2461 miles by railway, 
and is 43J miles S.W. from Exeter, the county town, 
by road, and 52£ by railway. It is situated in the 
Hundred of Boborough and Deanery of Plympton, 
and it is a Parliamentary and Municipal Borough, 
returning two Members to Parliament, and is 
governed by a Mayor and Corporation. It is strongly 
fortified, and is a seaport of considerable magnitude. 

The government of Plymouth is vested in a Mayor, 
twelve Aldermen, and thirty-six Councillors, appointed 
under the Municipal Corporations’ Act, 5 and 6 
William IT., c. 76. The Borough, for municipal 


POPULATION STATISTICS. 


485 


purposes, is divided into six wards, viz., Frankfort 
Ward, Drake’s Ward, Charles’ Ward, Sutton Ward, 
Yintry Ward, and St. Andrew’s Ward, each of which 
is represented by two Aldermen and six Councillors. 
The Mayor and Recorder are, by virtue of their 
offices, Justices of the Peace, and there are a 1 so 
several magistrates appointed by commission. The 
Corporation is the Local Board of Health, under the 
Public Health Act, whose provisions were put in 
force in 1854. Up to that time the paving, lighting, 
etc., was under the control of a Board of Improvement 
Commissioners, constituted under the Paving and 
Lighting Act, of 5tli George IV. The town has also 
adopted the Free Libraries Act, and an Educational 
Board has been established. The Markets are the 
property of the Corporation, and are under their 
control, and they also have the management of the 
police force. The Water Works and water supply 
are also the property of the Corporation, and they 
likewise own the Theatre, Royal Hotel, and Assembly 
Rooms. The Borough, to the extent of its present 
limits, was first incorporated 18th Henry YI. (1440), 
but the constitution of the Corporation was materially 


changed by the “ Municipal Corporations’ 

Act ” of 

the reign of William IY. 



The population of Plymouth, 

accordin 

g to the 

Census taken in April, 1871, is as 

follows 


Males. 

Females. 

Total. „ 

Parish of St. Andrew 18,373 

22,973 

41,346 

Parish of Charles 10,946 

14,233 

25,179 


Total 

G6,525 






486 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


The increase of population during the present 
century is stated to be as follows:— 


Year. 

Persons. 

Increase. 

Humber. 

Per Cent. 

1801 

16,040 



1811 

20,803 

4,763 

29-69 

1821 

21,591 

788 

3-78 

1831 

31,080 

9,489 

43-94 

1841 

36,527 

5,447 

17-52 

1851 

49,673 

13,146 

35-98 

1861 

62,599 

12,926 

26-02 

1871 

68,080 

5,481 

8-75 


The above table includes the floating population for 1871. 

The rateable value of property in 1821 was 
£28,983 ; in 1851, £101,818 ; and in 1871, 

£169,251 10s. The number of inhabited houses 
at different periods in the present century is as 


follows :— 

1801 . 

1,782 

1841 . 4,298 

1811 . 

2,099 

1851 . 5,178 

1821 . 

2,447 

1861 . 0,084 

1831 ...... 

3,472 

1871 . 7,287 

The increase 

in the first half of the present century, 


from 1801 to 1851, was 3,396 inhabited houses, and 
33,633 inhabitants; and in the last twenty years, 
from 1851 to 1871, 2,109 inhabited houses, and 
18,407 inliab it ants. 

The Market at Plymouth is said to have been first 
granted to the Priory of Plympton about the year 
1253, to be held on Thursdays, with a three-days’ 





















FAIRS AND MARKETS. 


487 


fair to be lield at the Festival of St, John the Baptist. 
In or about 1257, Baldwin de L’Isle had, as appears 
from the Bolls of 42nd Henry III., a grant for a 
market at Sutton, to be held on Wednesday, and a 
three-days’ fair to be held at the Feast of the Ascen¬ 
sion. By the charter of Henry YI. the “ fairs, feasts 
and markets ” were vested in the Mayor and Com¬ 
monalty, the town being then, for the first time, 
incorporated. In 1670 the town bushel for public 
measuring was set up in the Market. In the last 
century the market days were Monday and Friday, 
and continued on the Saturday, and the Markets were 
at that time held under the Guildhall, in the open 
space shown in our engraving on page 140, and in 
the surrounding streets.* The market having been 
held on the Saturday, the open space was cleaned 
out on Sunday mornings for the display of civic 
grandeur that had to take place. An halberdier, 
in full array and “armed to the teeth,” was 
stationed under each archway, while the Mayor and 
Corporation, with mace-bearers and other officers, in 
their gowns, paraded backwards and forwards till 
they were marshalled in procession to march to St. 
Andrew’s for Divine worship. 

In 1804 the present inconvenient Market place, 
situated between Cornwall - street, East-street, and 
Drake-street, the Corn Market being at the Corn¬ 
wall-street entrance, was opened; the principal 
market days being Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, 
although it is open every day in the week. The 
Market occupies an area of three acres, and contains 


* Some interesting accounts of the Market Tolls will be found on p. 10b. 


488 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


covered vegetable, butter, fish, and poultry markets, 
butcher’s stalls, pot market, and shops and stalls for 
general merchandize. There are three principal 
entrances, viz., from Cornwall-street, from East- 
street, and from Drake-street, and several smaller 
ones. The Market, it must be added, is totally 
inadequate to the requirements of the town, and 
calls for early removal and reconstruction. A good, 
lofty, well-arranged and well-ventilated Market Hall 
is much needed, and is, indeed, a necessity in 
such a town as Plymouth; and it is much to be 
hoped that, as the tide of improvement has now 
so wisely and so strongly set in, and has already 
swept away the abominations at the back of Bedford- 
street, and erected on their site the palatial piles of 
municipal buildings, its waves will soon carry away 
the present Market sheds, and plant in their place 
an erection that shall be a comfort and an honour 
to the town. 

The Fish Market—the Plymouth Billingsgate for 
wholesale dealers and others—is held on the Barbican, 
by Sutton Pool. Formerly there was an old “ Fish 
House” at this place, which has been removed. 
“ This old building was situated in a most singular 
place, as it served for a breakwater for Sutton Pool. 
It occupied almost two-thirds of the site of the 
‘Western Pier that now is, and the other third was the 
tidal way, nearest the Old Barbican, where vessels of 
large burden could enter. There was a way also on 
the other side, but of less depth, and the Fish House 
stood in the water, and surrounded by it. It was a 
large, square, ancient building, and towards the 




MARKETS AND SHAMBLES. 


489 


Sound it was quite plain. The windows and stairs 
were on the Pool side. This place was used for a 
store-house for provisions for the Poyal Navy in 
Queen Anne’s time, during the wars in her reign, and 
it was full when, in a dreadful storm, it was entirely 
washed down and all the stores lost; and in this 
storm many ships were wrecked, others drove on 
Friary Green, Old Tree Slip, etc. The painting of the 
old Fish House put one in mind of Noah’s Ark. This 
singular erection has always (or its ruins) been known 
by the name of the Fish House, but whether it was 
built for the purpose of curing and storing of fish for 
exportation, or for its being deposited there anciently, 
in order to receive King’s and Queen’s Customs 
thereon, is now uncertain.” The “ Fish Shambles,” 
also called the “ Fish Cage,” were built in 1692 in 
Whimple-street, near the Church passage. Closely 
adjoining was a guard-house. 

A Yarn Market was formerly held in St. Andrew’s 
churchyard, which, having fallen into disuse, was 
revived in 1651, as will be seen by the interesting 
Corporation order already given on page 218. 

Meat Shambles appear to have existed from a 
comparatively early date, and they were re-erected 
in 1605. In 1657 new shambles were built “in 
the midst of Old Town-street,” and until recent 
years shambles abutted on, and, indeed, were built 
into, the churchyard of St. Andrew. In the forming 
of the new Market place provision was made for the 
butchers. The following highly curious document, 
which is now, for the first time, printed, shows 
the regulations made in Plymouth, between two and 


490 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


three centuries ago, for the ordering of butchers, 
bakers and brewers :— 

“The Mayer commandeth in the Kinges name of Ynglond that all maner of Bakers 
make good brede and of good corne and holsome for mannys body and that they make a 
Ioffe for a peny, ij lofes for a peny, and iiij loffys for a peny, and that your Brede kepe 
vveyte. At the first tyme upon payne of a grievous amerciament: and the second tyme 
a grevousser amerciament : And the thirde fawte on payne of the pyllory and to forfeyte 
ther Brede and their Body to Pryson and thereto make a Fyne at the Mayres will, etc. 

“Also that all manner of Brewers make good Ale and of goode Malte holsome for 
mannys Body. And that they sell a Gallon of the best in the leve for Id. 2 qrs. and when 
it is clere and stale in the Barrell for Id. over. And of the Second Ale in the Kyve for iij 
fartliinges, and when it is clere and stale in the barrell for Id. And that they sell no Ale 
by Wyne measure, but only by Ale measure and Sealed. And that they sell none till the 
Ale Taster have tasted hyt, And soe that it be good hoelsum and able for mannys body. 
And that no manner of Brewsteres neither Iloggesters sell none Ale tyll they sett oute their 
Signe in payne of forfeyture of all together and their bodves to pryson there to make a 
Fyne and Eawnson at the Mayre’s will etc. 

“ Also that no manner of men sell no corrupte Wynes nether reboyled Wynes : nether 
Mellid Wynes ne no nother but hit be good and holsome for mannys body nether sett 
ij pypes in one Pype Hoggeshead or Tonne to rese the price, that is to saye, first for 
iiijfZ. and after for vj d. on payne of forfeyting of all suche Wynes solde and the boddyes 

y 

of the Sellers thereof to Pryson etc. 

“ Item.—All Bochers that bringes Fleshe to Mkett to sell bring none but hit be good 
and abull and holsom for mannys body. And that they bring no bull fleshe, ne Rammys 
Fleshe ne Cowe Fleshe that be an Calfe" and the calfe be quicke, ne no other Fleshe but 
hit be in season and good and holsom for mannys Body ; And that they bring their 
kydenes in their motons and their skinnys of all manner of Fleshe to Mkett on payne of 
all their Fleshe and their bodys to pryson. 

“Also that no Bocher putt no filthe in the markett, ne bones ne blode in the 
Shamells on payne of imprisonment of their bodyes that so doo. 

“ Also that no manner of men sell lynnen clothe by no mett yardys into the tyme that 
they be broughte into the Gildehall and avowved by the Kinge’s stondert, and sealed, on 
payne of prisonment of their Bodyes and forfeyten of all suche clothe so solde etc. 

“Also that no man bye ne sell by no false weyth neither by the weyth that be 
forbiden by the Lawe, that is to saye, the sheste nether by no nother weyth but they be 
truly avowed by the Standerts of Wynchestire, nether bye by one and sell by another, 
that is to saye, to bye by greater weyth and sell by lesse, on payne of prysonement of their 
bodyes that such wyeth occupy and a grevous Fyne to be made at the Mayres will. 

“ Also that no Astler nether no nother man ofte no vocabundys nother no noyman 
passing ij dayes and ij niglites but he be a man of knawledge and where whence he 
come and whither he will, and what his busynes be in Towne, and that no man walke up 
and downe worken dayes to nale and to wyne but he be a man of ( ) or merchment 

other wayting upon any gentylman upon payne of prysonement of their bodyes and a 
grevous Fyne to be made at the Mayres will for yt ys suspicyous. 

“Item.—That no Hosteler nor Tavernner by color of their tavern or hostelery suffer 
no suspicious people of their lyving to ryott, accompany or logge to gether as man and a 
woman, but he knows verily that hit be a man and his wife, that no landoner keep in 
his House harlott nother strompett but voyde her away hastely on payne of a grevous 
amerciament. 

“ Also that no man forestale any vytayle coming to the Mkett warde as Fleshe, Fyshe, 
Butter, Cheese, Egges, Chekins, Capons, Gese, or any other Vytayle, but suffer hit to be 
brought to the Common Mkett place, and then that no man regrate hit, that is to saye, 
by hit in grete to the intent to sell it agen afore the Towne be full servyd on payne,of 
emprysonement of their Bodyes, and to make a Fyne at the Mayres will. 




FAIRS AND MARKETS. 


491 


“Also that no Hoggestars nether no other person take upon theym to bye any Fishe 
aborde any Bote, but suffer the fishe to be layde a lande or they make any price. And that 
then any Man have a part thereof that is present at the lyeng of the same pounde and 
pounde alike yf it life theym so beinge present to holde hit on payne of Forfeiture of the 
Fishe so boughte, and the byers body to prison, and there to make a grevous Fyne for his 
offence at the Mayres discression.” 

A Clotli Fair was formerly held in November. At 
this fair all the clothiers from Somersetshire, etc., 
attended with cloths and blankets, and the people 
saved up their money till the fair for the purchase of 
those commodities, the most respectable people of the 
town preferring to buy of the clothiers rather than 
of the shopkeepers. The Cloth Fair was held in Old 
Town-street, where the cab stand now is, and reached 
to St. Andrew’s Church, whilst the sweetmeat and - 
trinket stalls were placed from the Church, down 
Whimple-street and Bilbury-street. 

The fairs now held are the first Monday in April 
and the first Monday in November, but although they 
were at one time thought much of, they have now 
almost died out. 


CHAPTER X. 


RELIGIOUS HOUSES-THE WHITE FRIARS-THE GREY 

FRIARS-LEPER’S HOSPITAL-THE BLACK FRIARS—THE 

ABBEY-CHAPEL OF ST. CATHERINE-CHAPEL OF ST. 

MICHAEL-CHAPEL OF OUR LADY OF GRACE-PALACE 

court—st. Andrew’s church and its monuments. 

Of tlie ancient religious houses in Plymouth but little 
is, unfortunately, known, and even their exact sites 
are, in some instances, matters of grave uncertainty. 
The two principal ones were the Convent of the 
Carmelites, or White Friars, and the Convent of the 
Franciscans, or Grey Friars, but there were also other 
minor establishments. 

The White Friars was 
situated at the head of 
Sutton Pool, where the 
names of Friary-street, 
Friarv-court, and White- 
friar’s-lane still attest its 
locality. It was an ex¬ 
tensive establishment, en¬ 
closed in battlemented 
walls, and had a lofty 
tower and spire. Hear it 
stood one of the gates of 
the tower—the 66 Friary 






















THE WHITE FRIARS. 


493 


Gate ”—which was taken down some years since. 
This convent was established in 1314. In the very 
beginning, however, according to Oliver, something 
uncanonical in their settlement had occurred, which 
occasioned the displeasure of Bishop Stapeldon; 
hut at the recommendation of his sovereign, King 
Edward II., who was their great patron, he was 
induced to overlook the irregularity, and on Sep¬ 
tember 28th, 1314, issued his license: U ut retigiosi 
viri ordinis Beate Marie de Monte Carmeli in area sud 
de Button nostre diocesis divina valeant cetebrare and 
that the site of their convent might be dedicated by 
any Catholic Bishop (Reg: fot. 88.J Subsequently 
their Prior—Henry—was excommunicated by Bishop 
Brantyngham for presuming to absolve in a reserved 
case, September 17th, 1374; hut he was afterwards 
reconciled to his diocesan (Reg: vot. 1, fot. 48 .J 
Prior Henry, in an official deed, dated “ In domo 
nostra Button , 30 Kov., 1376,” granted to the 

benefactors, William Eorniaux, and Joan, his wife, 
a participation in all the prayers and good works 
which shall be performed by his community. The 
seal attached to the deed is oval and of green wax, 
but imperfect. The Virgin Mother is represented 
standing, holding on her left arm the Divine infant, 
and there are two kneeling figures below. The 
legend is imperfect. Eleven years later the name of 
John appears as prior of this house (September 22nd, 
1387). That this community was not allowed to 
perform the funerals or interments of strangers dying 
in St. Andrew’s parish, without the consent of the 
vicar, is evident from Bishop Lacy’s Ordinance, 




494 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


Nov. 27, 1438 (Reg: vol. III ., 175-6^ On 

the 26th June, 1387, the Commission upon the 
Scroop and Grosvenor Controversy sat in the church 
and refectory of this convent. At the time of the 
dissolution this convent, with others, is said to have 
passed into the hands of the Mayor and Commonalty, 
and, afterwards, through several hands, and was, 
of course, converted to other purposes. At the 
close of last century its site belonged to the family 
of Julian, and it was used for a time as a military 
hospital. As late as 1830 some portions of the tower 
were remaining, as well as a part of the refectory 
and what is supposed to have been the kitchen, but 
these have now disappeared and only some small 
remains can now he traced. The following inventory 
of the church goods belonging to this establishment, 
which has been copied from the original, in the Public 
Record Office, for this work, by my friend, the Rev. 
Mackenzie E. C. Walcott, F.S.A.:— 

“The AVhyt Fryeres of Plummouth. M. tliys Indenture makytlie mencyon yt ye 
howse of ye Whyte Fryers in Plummowthe with all ye pertenaunce ys delyveryd to 
Master doctor Wegans & to James Korsewall to kepe & order to ye Kyng’s use tyll hys 
gracs plesur be fortlier knowyn and thys stuffe remaynethe in ye howse. 

“The Vestrie a sute of Vestments blewe sylke pryste decon & sub decon with ij 
copys of the same iii li ; a Vestement blew saten ye decon & sub decon clothe of tynsell 
xxxd; a syngle Vestement of rede saten, ye crosse blewe xvs ; iij olde tenacles xvjd ; a 
clothe of blew sylke to hange before ye auter, iijsiiijd; a nother clothe for ye same of 
blewe damaske vs; ij ffrunts j of sylke a nother of rede velvet ijs; iij olde chessabulls 
xiid ; j olde cheste <fc an olde coffer standeying in ye Vestrie xijd ; a presse for Veste- 
ments viijd ; a holy water stope vjd ; iij stolys for chanters vjd ; a sacrybell jd. The 
Chambers j tabull ij trustells & iiij formeys, a cupborde xvjd; ij candelsticks of tynne iiijd. 
an olde cheste iiijd.” 

The Convent of Grey Friars was situated on the 
west side of Sutton Pool, in Woolster-street. It, 
like the. White Friars, was a large and important 
establishment. It had a tower but no spire, as may 



THE GREY FRIARS. 


495 


1)0 seen by the accompanying facsimile of a drawing 



of the time of Henry VIII. Its buildings closely 
abutted on the water. The precise date of its founda¬ 
tion has not been ascertained, but it appears that on 
the 28th of June, 1383, a license was granted by 
King Kichard II. to “Willielmo Cole, Thomse Fish- 
acre, Galfrido Couche, et Humfrido Passour,” to 
alienate six acres of land in Plymouth, which were 
held of the King in capite , to the Friar’s Minors in 
the same town ( a Fratrum Mi no rum in villa predicta 
}labituturis ”) as a site for a certain church, a belfry, 
and other buildings, and for the necessary habitation 
of the same brethren anew to be made and con¬ 
structed. It is possible that the land thus conveyed 
might be the site of a still older establishment. The 
Brethren having “ proceeded uncanonically in erecting 
their church 4 in villa de Sutton juxta Plymouth 
and obtaining its consecration by one John Berham, 
a Dominican, who passed himself for the Bishop of 
Naples, Bishop Brantyngham visited this violation 
of jurisdiction with his high displeasure, excommuni¬ 
cating the guilty parties and laying the church 
itself under an interdict.” fReg: vol. 1, p. 221 y/ 
The last remaining parts of this convent were (with 
the exception of a doorway, still standing) removed 


















496 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


in 1813, when the present Exchange was erected. A 
part of the site was used for many years as an inn, 
called the “Mitre Tavern.” This inn was entered 
from the street through a low arched doorway, leading 
into a quadrangular court, having on the eastern side a 
cloister, supported by twisted or spiral pillars. At 
the end of this a staircase led to apartments formed 
out of the convent church; the lower part had been 
used as cellars for merchandize. The site of this 
convent was granted on November 13th, 1546, to 
Giles and Gregory Iseham. 

The Dominicans, or Dlack Friars, had also an estab¬ 
lishment in Plymouth, which is said to have been 
situated near Notte-street and Southside-street, where 
a narrow street called “ Blackfriar’s-lane ” perpetuates 
its name. Probably the buildings now used as a dis¬ 
tillery by Messrs. Coates and Co. may be a part of 
this religious house. In the distillery buildings 
are two interesting doorways belonging to the monastic 
establishment, and also a fine room, one part of which 
is now used as an office, and the other, and larger part, 
as a store-room, with a remarkably good and character¬ 
istic timber roof. In the lower part of the building 
is a room with a strongly barred window, which is said 
at one time to have been used as a cell or marshalsea. 

Another religious house was the Leper’s Hospital, 
fDomns LeprosorumJ dedicated to the Holy Trinity 
and to St. Mary Magdalene. It was erected u in 
honore S. Trinitatis ac beatce Marice Magdalence .” The 
date of its foundation would appear to have been 
“unknown to the members of the establishment, 
for in the reign of Edward III., about 1370, they 


THE ABBEY. 


497 


laid claim to immemorial existence. In that year 
the prior of the house sued the Prior of Plympton 
for a corody consisting ,of a daily loaf of white 
and black bread, a gallon of convent ale, and 
a mess of ‘ cochin des chaires ’ on every flesh day, 
and a mess of ‘ cochin de peshon ’ on every fish day, 
like a canon of the priory. The Prior of Plympton 
denied the corporate character of the hospital, alleging 
that it was a mere voluntary association of poor lay¬ 
men, without convent, college, or common seal, and, 
therefore, incapable of suing in the name of their prior. 
The plaintiff replied that priors had been elected by 
the brethren from time immemorial. The court even¬ 
tually over-ruled the plea, and adjudged that, as the 
defendant did not deny that there had always been 
such elected priors from time beyond memory, he was 
bound to give a more substantial answer to the com¬ 
plaint. We may safely infer from this reported case, 
that the origin of the establishment, if not really 
immemorial, was, at all events, very obscure. The 
house was recognized by Bishop Brantyngham in 
1374. 

The Abbey, so called, adjoining St. Andrew’s 
churchyard, in Finewell-street, is evidently a part 
of the domestic buildings attached to that Church, 
which belonged to the Priory of Plympton. Of these 
remains we give an engraving on next page, copied 
from an original drawing by Worsley, showing.it as 
it existed half a century ago. The building is three 
stories in height, and is entered by a gothic doorway, 
the inner arch of which has foliated spandrels, and a 
tympanum with an open quatrefoil. Above this is a 


498 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


mullioned window of twelve lights, and above this 
again a window of two lights. It is traditionally 



said that a subterranean passage from this building 
communicates with the crypt of St. Andrew’s Church. 

The Church, or Chapel, of St. Catherine was on 
the Hoe. It was, as will be seen from the subjoined 
fac-simile from the chart which has before been referred 

to, a small building, with a 
lofty tower. On the south 
side of the nave were three 
windows, and at the east end 
a large east window, the gable 
being surmounted by a cross. 
In the south side of the tower was a two-light gothic 
window, and above this was a projecting bell turret 
of wood, in which the alarm bell, to be rung to 
alarm the town on occasions of the approach of an 


















































































































































































499 


st. Michael’s chapel. 

enemy, and otherwise, was hung. The Church was 
enclosed by a wall, and near it, on the Hoe, stood a 
well-formed cross, raised up on steps. Mention of 
the chapel is made by Bishop Brantyngham in 1370, 
and Bishop Stafford in 1413, as the Chapel of St. 
Catherine, super le Howe juxta Plymouth; and again 
by Bishop Lacy in 1425. Among other Corporation 
payments occurs this entry:—1565, “ Item paide for 
lathe nailes for mendinge the Howe Chappie, 10.; ” 
and in 1569, u Item payd for a rope for the bell upon 
the Hawe, <£0 Is. 1 dP Leland thus speaks of this 
chapel, of which all trace is lost except the name of 
Catherine-street, and, possibly, Catwater and Catdown, 
in the following words :— u There is a righte goodly 
Walke on an Hille without the Towne by south, 
caullid the How, and a fair Chapel of S. Catarine on 
it.” The following curious document appears to refer 
to a chalice belonging to this chapel, as well as to 
those of some chantry chapels, etc.:— 

Memorand qd. calix Sancte Katerine Et calix Bte Marie reman cum Petro Ligger. 

Itm.—Calix Ste Crucis reman in custod Johis Ilcombe. 

Itm.—Alt calix reman cum Johe Furneys. 

Itm.—Calix Sancte.reman cum Petro Erie. 

Itm.—Calix.reman cum Willmo Thikpeny. 

Itm.—Calix Ste Marie Attewille reman cum Peke. 

Memorand.—That remayneth in the hands of John Paynter a Chalice of Seynt Katirin 
rec. of Pers Lygger. 

Itm.—Remayneth with John Furneys II Chalices of the Rode delyved by the hand of 
Willm Belde 

Itm.—In the hands of John Hawkins and Willm Lewys a Chalice of Seynt Erasmus. 

Md.—For to enquyre for our Lady Chalice yt remaynith with pers Lygg. 

On St. Nicholas’ Island, formerly called “ St. 
Michael’s Island,” and now more frequently known 
by the name of “Drake’s Island,” in the Sound, 
formerly stood a chapel, or cell, given to Plympton 
Priory by Walter de Valletort, which was dedicated 






500 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


to St. Michael, and so gave name to the Island. In 
the chart so frequently referred to this chapel, or 
cell, is shown, and is the only building on the island, 
which was fortified not long after this chart was drawn. 
In the proceedings of the Privy Council it appears that 
a letter was written to the Mayor of Plymouth and 
his brethren, on the 28th of March, 1548, a mer- 
veilinge of their unwillingness to proceede in the 
fortifyinge of St. Michaelles Chappelle to be made a 
bulwarke, and when they allege the pluckinge down 
of that Chappelle to the foundation, they were 
answered, the same being made upp againe with a 
wall of turf, should neither be of less effecte or strength, 
nor yet of such greate coste as they intended, and, 
therefore, eftsones the lordes desired them like good 
subjects to goe in hande with that worke accordingle, 
as they might thereby be esteemed that they tender 
the Ivinges Ma ties pleasure, and their owne sureties 
and defense chiefeste.” 

Another chapel, dedicated to Our Lady of Grace, 
was at Quarrywell, within the boundaries of Plymouth. 

Although there is literally nothing in the way of 
direct evidence to connect Palace Court with the 
ancient religious houses of Plymouth, it may, very 
possibly, have formed a part of the residence of the 
old priors of Plympton at the time when St. Andrew’s 
was one of their possessions, and when they held a 
grange in the town. Palace Court, entered by an 
arched doorway, is situated in Catte-street, not far from 
the Old Guildhall, and is, at the present time, so far 
removed from anything palatial in appearance, or, in 


PALACE COURT 


501 


fact, that it has simply become the residence—being 
let off in separate floors or rooms—of people of the 
very lowest ranks of society. It is, indeed, a place to 
be but once visited, and that, a visit of but short 



duration. Still, putting aside all feelings of disgust 
at the modes of living of its denizens, or of the filth 
and squalor of the place, it is worth a visit, and some 
few interesting features will repay examination— 
especially a carved corbel on the landing of one of the 
principal staircases. Of this u Palace Court,” denuded 
of an excrescence, which has been built up in the 
quadrangle, and so cuts off some portion even of the 
little amount of free air the inhabitants formerly had 
to breathe, we give an engraving. In the old rent- 
rolls of the Trelawny family are several entries relating 
to rents received for u the Palace ” for u cellars in 
the Palace,” and for u lofts in the Palace,” which at 
that time belonged to the Trelawny’s. 

































































































































































































502 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


St. Andrew’s Church, “the mother Church” of 
Plymouth, is no doubt an old foundation, although 
no portions of the present building would appear to 
date hack beyond very late in the xiy., or very 
early in the xv. centuries. That the Church existed 
in the xm. century is abundantly proved, and the 
probability is that it was founded some years anterior 
to that time. In 1460 the present tower was erected, 
although in some records it is stated, as shown on 
a preceeding page, to have been built in 1440. It 
was built mainly at the expense of Thomas Yogge, a 
merchant, of Plymouth—he, apparently defraying all 
costs and charges, and the town finding the materials. 
Leland says:—“One Thomas Yogge, a Marchaunt, of 
Plymouthe, paid of late yeres for making of the Steple 
of Plymmoutlie Cherch. The Towne paide for the 
stuffe.” St. Andrew’s, until the dissolution, belonged 
to, and was a prebend of, Plympton Priory, which 
possessed the greater part of the town, holding a court- 
leet, possessing the corn-mills, markets, fairs, assize of 
bread and beer, and rights of pillory, etc. This Prebend 
is stated to have been occasionally called the Prebend 
of St. Peter and St. Paul, at Sutton. After the dis¬ 
solution it passed into the hands of the Mayor and 
Commonality by the charter of Queen Elizabeth, and 
so remained until the passing of the Municipal Cor¬ 
porations Reform Act, when the advowson was sold. 
The matter was not, however, at all times smooth 
sailing for the Corporation, and they were now and 
then in hot water with the incumbents. One memor¬ 
able instance occurred in 1637, when a dispute arose 
between the vicar, Aaron Wilson (whose monument 




STAR CHAMBER DECREE 



stands at the east end of the south aisle) and the 
Corporation, respecting several alleged encroachments 
on what he considered his rights. The Star Chamber 
decree, respecting this matter, is so curious, that it is 
worth printing in full. It is as follows :— 

At the Inner Star Chamber, the 10th May, 1637. Present—Lord Archbishop of 
Canterbury, his Grace, and Lord Keeper. 

Whereas, Aaron Wilson, Vicar of the Church of Plymouth, in the County of 
Devon, heretofore preferred a petition to His Majestie against the Mayor and Com¬ 
monalty of the Burrough of Plymouth, concerning some usurpations made by the said 
Mayor upon the rights and privileges of the said vicar ; and, whereas, His Majestie was 
graciously pleased to referre the consideration thereof to the Lord Archbishop'of Canter¬ 
bury, his Grace, and the Lord Keeper; and, whereas, the said Mayor and Commonalty 
exhibited lately to the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury, as Metropolitan, for the ending 
certaine differences between them and the said Aaron Wilson, Vicar, concerning the said 
Church, his Grace being assisted by the Lord Keeper, having thereupon fully heard the 
said parties and their counsell concerning the said matter in question and variance, between 
the said Mayor, Commonalty, and parishioners, and the said vicar. After a long debate 
and consideration, all parties professing an unfeigned desire that all things might be 
settled and established in such sort as might produce an amicable end of all differences, 
and a perfect union amongst them for the future, it was ordered as followeth :—“And, in 
the first place, Mr. Glanvell, Recorder of the said towne, and Mr. Fowell, Town Clerke, 
they did, in the name of the said Mayor and Commonalty, humbly submit all the right of 
patronage of the vicarage of the said Church to His Majesty’s disposall, professing the 
said Mayor and Commonalty were very unwilling to dispute their title there with His 
Majesty; yet humbly besought, in behalfe of the said Corporation, that in the now grant 
to be passed to the said Mayor and Commonalty, the Gramer School there might be 
established and some maintenance be settled upon the same ; whereupon it was ordered that 
the Council of the said towne should attend His Majesty’s Attorney and Solicitor-Generall 
and receive their directions how such surrender and assurance as the said Mayor and Com¬ 
monalty is to make to His Majestie of the said patronage and vicarage.” As touching the 
sundry differences between the said Mayor and Commonalty and parishioners, and the said 
vicar, their lordships did examine and consider the same particularly, and ordered them 
as followeth :—“ First. Touching the incroachments alleged by the said vicar to be made 
by the said Mayor and Commonalty on the east side of the churchyard by building a row 
of shambles and other houses on parts of the churchyard, and on the west side by building 
of the hospitall, where the vicar had anciently an house. This was, by the vicar, waved, 
and disallowed by their lordships, for that there was not sufficient proofe made to make 
good that said pretence. Whereas it was objected that the said Mayor and Commonalty 
tooke from the vicar a duty of burialls in the churchyard, viz., 06s. 08d. for every coffin 
interred in the churchyard, and £1 6s. 8 d. for every coffin interred in the Church ; for as 
much as it was on all sides confessed that the vicar hath now for every corps buryed in the 
Church Is. 4 cl., and the clerk 8 d., and for every corps buryed in the churchyard 8d., and 
the clerk 4 d ; and for that it is alleged that the rates lay on such as are buryed in coffins 
in the Church and churchyard was, by agreement of the parishioners, to prevent the 
great number of buryals in coffins, which were found to be very inconvenient, and were 
agreed to be imployed to the use of the Church Their lordships thought fitt that the 
said rates shall be settled by the Bishop of the Diocese for such as are buryed in coffins, 
and shall be accordingly continued, but to be received by the Churchwardens, who are to 
be accountable for the same, for the repairs, and other uses of the Church, and that the 
vicar and clerk shall enjoy their severall rates for buryalls, as aforesaid, respectively. 


504 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH 


As touching the pewes in the Church, which is alleged are sold by the Mayor to such as 
will give most, taking 50s. and £3 and more for one roome.in the seat, it is ordered that 
the disposall of the said pewes is to remain in the vicar and churchwardens, and if they 
cannot agree, then the Bishop of the Diocese, or his chancellor, is to determine and order 
the same according to the Ecclesiasticall law; and their lordships farther think fitt that 
there be no seat hereafter appropriate to any house or family, yet that no seates be altered 
that are now settled, but as they shall become void, to be disposed of according to the 
former order, and that therein care be had to prefer the ablest inhabitants and house¬ 
holders, and that the revenues and profits thereof be to the repaires and other uses of the 
Church, which the churchwardens and their successors are to receive and to be made 
accountable for, and in such manner as they are for other money received by them for the 
use of the Church. And as touching the pewes belonging to the Mayor, magistrates, 
common councell, and publick officers and their wives, that theise be, from time to time, 
continued as they now are, without any alteration. Whereas, it is farther alleged by the 
said vicar, that the Mayor claimeth the right of the cliancell, setts up seats therein, giveth 
away others (and among them the vicar’s seat) selleth the rest, and taketli duties for 
buryalls there. The Mayor and Commonalty confess that they claim the same under the 
impropriator, and do employ the benefit thereof to, and for the use of the Church ; and in 
regard thereof, are at the charge of reparation of the said chancell, and if there be any 
surplus, of benefit they employ it to the use of the Church, upon which consideration their 
lordships think fitt that the said Mayor and Commonalty shall enjoy the same accordingly. 
And as concerning the seats in the chancell, belonging to Mr. Hele and his wife, the same 
are to be restored to them, and another convenient seat to be erected in the chancell for 
the vicar, at the charge of the parish, and the vicar’s wife is to be seated in the seat next to 
the Mayor’s wife, being the antient seat appertaining to the wife of the vicar of that 
Church. 

Concerning the choice of the churchwardens, it is ordered that if the vicar and 
parishioners cannot agree, that then the election of the churchwardens shall be according 
to canon, which is, the vicar to choose one, and the parishioners the other. 

As for the money collected for the poor at the Communion, the same is to be received 
by the churchwardens and to be given amongst the poor by the distributions, as hath been 
formerly used. 

Touching the clerk’s wages, the same is to be collected and paid by the churchwardens as 
formerly. 

Collections upon briefs are to be made at the Church doors as formerly, the vicar to 
give convenient and timely notice to the churchwardens when he receivetli any such briefs, 
to the end that they may gett some to assist them in the said collection. 

As concerning marriages, that now be married without license or bans publickly asked in 
the Church, and if either of the parties to be married are strangers, that then the vicar 
is to have a certificate from such strangers according to the canon before he marry them. 

As for the fees for marriages, with or without license, the antient fees for the same are 
to be set downe and regulated by the Chancellor, according to the table of fees in the office 
of the Archbishop of Canterbury. 

And, lastly, whereas the said vicar hath commenced divers suits against some of the said 
parishioners for tithes of kine, milk, apples, etc., for payment whereof the said parishioners 
claim a custome, and a tryall is to be had between the said vicar and Nicholas Sherwill, 
one of the parishioners, at the next assizes. Upon that account it is ordered that the 
vicar shall not proceed upon any other suites for the said tithes until such times as the 
said tryall shall be passed ; and as well the said vicar as the said parishioners shall, for 
such tithes, conform themselves to the judgments that shall be given upon the said tryall, 
except there be some just cause to the contrary. 

And this their lordships order to be entered in the registry of the Bishop of the Diocese.— 
Edward Nichtolas.” 



\ 


st. Andrew’s church. 505 

In Pope Xicholas’ taxation—begun 1288, and ended 


1291—the entry is as follows:— 

Taxatio. 

Decima. 

Ecclia de Sutton (S. Andree 



Plymouth) . 

5*6*8 

0*10*8 

Yicar de eadem . 

4*6*8 

0*8*8 


Until the year 1640 Plymouth was one parish, St. 
Andrew’s being the vicarage, but in that year a new 
parish was created by Act of Parliament, as shown on 
a previous page.* The Church of St. Andrew is a 
large, line, and commodious edifice, and being situated 
in the centre of the town, with its majestic tower 
rising above the surrounding buildings, forms a 
prominent object from whichever side it is seen. It 
consists of a nave and chancel, with north and south 
aisles throughout, and north and south transepts. The 
tower is at the west end. The north and south aisles 
are each separated from the nave and chancel by a 
series of nine obtusely pointed arches, six of which 
are in the nave, and three in the chancel, and these 
spring from clustered columns with foliated capitals. 
The chancel arches rise to the roof, and the division 
between the chancel and nave is therefore not strongly 
apparent. The roofs are barrel-formed, and divided 
into square compartments by carved wooden frame¬ 
work, with carved bosses at the intersections. There 
is no clerestory, the nave being lighted by a series of 
open glazed compartments in the roof. At the west 
end is a large organ loft and gallery, beneath which 
is the vestry, used for holding parish meetings, and 
in each of the transepts is a gallery supported upon 

* Page 117. 






506 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


two low arches, and having its front decorated with 
quatrefoil panelling. These galleries were put up in 
place of more unsightly ones, when, in 1826, the 
Church was repaired and its interior re-modelled from 
the designs of Mr. Foulston. At this time, too, the 
u huge three-decker” pulpit, which stood against one 
of the side columns, was placed under the chancel-arch 
and its canopy taken away and ultimately replaced by 
a large and hideous sounding board. This pulpit 
has recently been removed, and a new one, of ex¬ 
tremely beautiful design, put in its place. The 
stalls for the Mayor and Corporation are placed 
on either side the chancel, near the chancel-arch. 
They are of carved oak, and bear the arms of the 
borough. The east window is filled with stained 
glass, by Ball; it represents the Ascension. The east 
windows of the side aisles are also filled with stained 
glass, as, indeed, are all in the Church, with geo¬ 
metric and foliated designs, some of which have 
groups in their upper lights. On the south side 
of the south aisle is a good window, the four 
lights of which contain figures of St. Peter, St. 
Andrew, St. James Major, and St. Thomas, under 
elaborate canopies, and figures of angels beneath; 
another similar window contains the figures of SS. 
Philip, Bartholomew, Thaddeus, and Simon. In 
the same aisle is a remarkably fine and beautiful 
memorial window of four lights, bearing the following 
inscription:—“ This window, dedicated to the honor 
of God & to the memories of Zachary Mudge, Esquire, 
Admiral of the White, & Jane Granger, his wife. 
Their bodies lie interred in the churchyard of Newton 



st. Andrew’s church. 


507 


Ferrers.” At the top are the arms of Mudge, argent , 
a chevron, gules , between their cockatrices, vert; and 
the motto, “ All’s Well.” In the two side lights at 
top, “ They that go down to the sea in ships, that do 
business in great waters. ” “These see the works of 
the Lord, and His wonders in the deep.” In the four 
principal lights are figures of the four Evangelists; 
over the first are the arms of Mudge, impaling 
Granger, with the name beneath; over the second, in 
the same manner, Eosdew, impaling Mudge; while 
in the third and fourth respectively, are Fletcher, 
impaling Mudge; and Mallac, impaling Mudge. Be¬ 
neath the figures of the Evangelists are respectively 
the arms of Mudge, impaling Dickinson; Mudge, 
impaling Yonge and Granger; Seaton, impaling 
Yonge; and Burrell, impaling Prowse. One of the 
windows on the north side of the north aisle bears 
in the centre light, at its head, the arms of the 
Plymouth Workhouse, or Hospital of Poors Portion, 
which are the same as the arms of the borough, 
with the addition of the saltire, or St. Andrew’s 
Cross, being charged on each limb with three 
bees, and a bee-hive in its centre. In the same 
aisle is a memorial window of four lights, which 
bear, respectively, the Adoration, the Crucifixion, 
the Descent from the Cross, and the Baptism ol 
Christ. At the top of the window, in the central 
light, are the arms of the borough of Plymouth, with 
the modern supporters, flags, etc.; and at the bottom 
the inscription—“In memory of Edmund Lockyer, 
Esq., born Sep. 18, 1750; died Feb. 20, 1836.” 
“Eleanor, his wife, daughter of Francis Penrose, 


508 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


of Durian, Cornwall; died 1807.” u Edmund 
Lockyer, Esq., M.D., their only son, born Oct. 28, 
1782; died Dec. 3, 1816.” “And Eleanor, their 
only daughter, wife of Admiral Sir Samuel Pym, 
K.C.B., died 1835.” The window also bears the 
arms of Lockyer, impaling those of Penrose. 

The Church contains many interesting monuments 
and tablets, the earliest of which are of quite late in 
the xvi., and of the early part of the xvn. century. 
Among them are the following:—At the east end of 
the south aisle is an altar-tomb of black marble, 
bearing, besides a long inscription on the top, the 
following on its front: — 

“ Here rest the Bodys of ye Right Worpll. Aaron Wilson, Dr. of Divinity, 
Archdeacon of Exeter, and Vicar of Plymovth, and Aaron Wilson, his son, who 
departed this Life, the one the 7 of July, ye other the 21 of January next follow¬ 
ing, 1643.” 

Near this stands a beautiful bust, by Chantry, of 
Dr. Zachariah Mudge, sometime vicar of St. Andrew’s. 
The bust, which cost £700, and was taken from a 
portrait of the vicar by Sir Joshua Eeynolds, stands 
upon a rough pedestal, and was fixed in its position 
by Chantry, who came down specially to Plymouth 
for the purpose. The following inscription is to the 
memory of Dr. Mudge:— 

“Zachariah Mudge, Prebendary of Exeter and Vicar of St. Andrew’s, Ply¬ 
mouth. Born 1694, Died 1769. In private Life he was Amiable and Benevolent; 

In his Ministry Faithful, Eloquent, and Persuasive ; Distinguished for know¬ 
ledge among the Learned, and for Talent among Men of Science.” 

There are also tablets to Jenney, daughter of Dr. John 
Mudge, and wife of Eichard Eosdew, of Peechwood, 
1818; and to Eichard Eosdew, 1837. Others in the 
same part of the Church are as follows:— 

“ Near this Place lyeth ye Body of Mr. Thomas Swanton, who dyed May 
19, MDCCIII, having been Collector of Her Majestys Customs in this Port xii 
years. He was ye youngest son of Francis Swanton of Salisbury, Esq., who 
was Clark of ye Assize for ye Western Circuit.” 





509 


st. Andrew’s church. 


“Near this place is interred the Body of Capt. Edmund Lechmere, formerly 
Commr. of His Majesy’s. Ship ye Linn, & late of the Lyme Frigot of 32 guns, 
on board of which he departed ys life ye 16 Jany., 1703, of ye wounds he reed, 
ye 15 in an Engagent. •wth a French Privr. of 46 guns. From whom he pro¬ 
tected a large Fleet of Merchants Ships all in safety, and he bravely gave ye 
enemie Battel & forced him to bear away with very much damage. He was in 
the Begining of ye Action wounded in both knees, and afterwards reed, a 
Musquet shot through his body, yett by neither discourged from prosecuting 
the enemie wth ye utmost vigour. Thus fell this Brave Man, whom his early 
years had (as well as by ye Constancy of his good Discipline <fc prudent 
conduct, as by his Intrepid Gallantry in this & many other actions) rendered 
himself Famous in many Parts of the World; Servicable to his Queen <fc 
Country, highly esteemed by the Commander of ye Fleet, entirely beloved by ye 
Seamen, and universally lamented by all yt knew him. He was 3rd Son to 
Edmund Lechmere, of Hanley Castle, in ye County of Worcester, Esq., by Lucy, 
his wife, daughter of Anthony Hungerford, of Farleigh Castle, in ye County of 
Somerset, Esq. Anno JStat, 47.” 

At the top are trophies of arms, nautical emblems, etc., 
and the arms of Lechmere; and at the bottom a 
sculptured representation of the engagement. 

“ Johes Gilbert olim Coll Wadhami in Oxon : Socius et A : M : Nuper Hujus 
Eccles Vicarius et St. Petri in Exon Canonicus Besidentiarius. Laboribus 
Lassatus Obijt Anno. iEtat: Suae 85° Annoq Domini 1722°. Et liic jacet Sepultus 
Mrs. Alice Gilbert, departed this Life the 20th of February, 1740. And her Sister, 

Mrs. Emm Gilbert, the 28th of May, 1750. Daughters of the Canon, by Whom this 
Monument was Erected.” 

Underneath is represented the Ascension; at the top 
is a medallion head of Canon Gilbert, who was vicar of 
St. Andrew’s, in his robes. A very interesting monu¬ 
ment, but one not much seen, through being on the wall 
of the inside of the tower, is to the memory of Captain 
Francis Drake, R.N., a descendent of Sir Francis 
Drake. At the head are the arms of Drake, with 
crest, mantling, etc., beautifully sculptured. The 
arms are sable, a fess wavy, or, charged with a crescent, 
gules, between two pole stars, argent; impaling, 
quartely, 1 and 4, or, a lion rampant, gules, 2 and 3 
sable; crest, on a helmet, a ship under ruff, drawn 
round the globe with a cable rope, by a hand out of 
the clouds ; over it the motto, “ Auxilio divino,” and 


510 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH 


underneath it, u Sic Parvis Magna.” The inscription 
is— 

“ Near this Place lyes the 
Body of Francis Drake Esqr 
for many years a Captain 
in the Royall Navy, who 
died the 26th day of Deer 
Anno Dom 1729 
In the 61st year of his Age. 

As also the Body of Mrs 
Prudence Sausure widow (his 
Sister) who died the 22 day of 
November 1737 aged about 
90 years” 

A fine upright incised slab, with cupids, foliage, 
death’s-heads, etc., bears at the top a shield with the 
arms, crest, mantling, etc., of the family of Smith, of 
Plymouth, party per bend engrailed, two crosses pat6e 
counterchanged, impaling .... three lions 
heads erased; crest, out of a ducal coronet, or, a demi- 
falcon, wings expanded, proper. The inscription, 
which is curious, is— 

“ Neere this Place Lyeth Interred Mr. Anthony Smith, late of This Towne, 
Merchant, who departed this Life the 15 Daye of October, 1680, in the 53 yeare of 
his Age, to whose Memory this White Stone was given by Mr. William Bowtell, of 
London, Merchant, and sett up in this place by Loveday Smith, Relict of the 
sayed Anthony. Allsoo Elizabeth, Daughter of the said Anthony.” 

To the family of Fownes, of Plymouth, are some 
interesting memorials, the earliest of which, 1589, is 
an upright slab in the vestibule ; it bears the arms 
of Fownes, azure , three eagles displayed in chief, 
and a mullet in base, argent. Another bears the 
inscription— 

“ Memorise Sacrum Prudentiae Thomae Founes Armigeri Uxoris Sepultse 
9 Jany 1606. Joannae ejusdem Thomse Uxoris, Sepultae 24 February 1625. 
Julianse Ricliardi Founes, Armigeri, Sepultse 28 May 1632. Richardi Founes 
Armigeri. Sepultse 4 Septembris 1633. Thomse Fownes, Armigeri, Sepultse 25 
Aprilis 1635. 

Quern vixisse semel celebral runt eccla leuamem 
Qui tulit hospitibus pauperibusq dedit. 

Marmoream q domum iduis qui struxit eenis 
Quae sit ab Anthoris nomine dicta Fovens.” 

Ne Careant, tenebris obducti lampade spargent 
Extinctis radios, quae micuere faces. 




511 


st. Andrew’s church. 


Another reads— 

“ Memorise Sacrum Prudentia filia natu maxima Tho : Fownes et vxor Jo: 
Waddon de Plymo : Armig : hie jacet, Curse loquuntur leues ingentes stupent.” 

Here Lieth the Bodie of Joane late 
the Wife of Master Hvmphrey Fownes of Plymouth 
Marchant, who departed this Life 
the Third Daie of Avgvst 
in the Mairoltie of her Hvsband 

0 That My Wordes were now written 
or graven with an iron Penne in 
Leade or Stone to continew For 
I Knowe that my Bedemer Liveth and 
That I shall Rise ovt of the Eart 
h in the last Daie and shall Be 
Covered againe with my Skinne 
and shall see God in my Flesh yea 
and I my selfe shall behold Him 
Not with other bvt with these same 
Eyes. Anno Domini 1589.” 

“ Here Lyeth the Body of Ivdeth the wife of Francis Amada of Plymovth, 
Gentel, and onely Davghter Ynto Hvmphry Fownes of Plymovth, Marchant. and 
loane his Wiffe. who died the xxvi Daye of Aprill 1623 

Also Here Lyeth Bvried the Bodyes 
of two Children of the same 
Francis and Ivdeth 
both named John.” 

“ Here Rest 

The Bodyes of John Fownes of Plymuth 
Marchant, and Dorothy his Wife 
who both departed this Life 
the 5th Daye of October 1624 
Beinge slaine by the fall 
of a chimney 

Also her- 69 

Spectacles of griefe command 
Ears and Eyes to be at stand ; 

Reader then amongst so many 
Read, and Weepe at this if any.” 

A large and strikingly curious monument, bears 
beneath an arch supported upon pillars, the figures of 
a gentleman in armour, and his wife, kneeling one on 
each side of a lectern. Behind him are their two 
sons, and behind her, three daughters. Beneath this 
is an oblong tablet, on which, in the centre, are half- 
length three-quarter-face figures of a gentleman in 
robes, of the time of Charles I., with moustache, 
imperial, etc., and his son; their hands clasped, and 



512 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


the sons left hand on his breast. Behind the gentle¬ 
man are three other sons, with hands clasped in hands; 
and behind the son, on a pallet, lie two chrisom 
children, their heads resting on a skull; and behind 
them again, another child. At the top of the monument, 
is a shield bearing the arms of Sparke, chequy, or and 
vert, a bend, ermine. On one side of the inscription 
tablet are the arms of Sparke, as before, and on the 
other, what haye originally been the arms of Rashleigh, 
but have evidently been altered in the re-colouring of 
the tablet. Beneath the inscription is Sparke, im¬ 
paling Rashleigh. At the bottom are three shields of 
arms, viz., Sparke, alone; harry wavy of 6, or and 
gules , alone; and Sparke, impaling the latter. The 
inscription is as follows:— 

“To the lovg memory of John Sparke Esqr late of this Towne and Deborah 
his Wife daughter to John Rashleighe of Foy, Esqr who departed this life in ex¬ 
pectation of a Joyful Eesurrection. He March the 17th 1610 aged 66. She Novem¬ 
ber ye 1 1635 aged 57 

A Father, Mother, and two daughters deere 
In silent earth are sweetly lodged heere 
Two still of age and two in infancye 
Denotes to all both old and young must die 
A vertuous life they lived amongst friendes 
And crownes of Glory now for them attends. 

(To John Sparke and his Wife Deborah) 

I was once as thou art now 
A man, could speak and goe 
But now I ly in silence heere 
Serve God, thou must be soe. 

When death did me asayle 
To God then did I crye 
Of Jacob’s well to newiste my soule 
That it might never die.” 

An extremely curious tablet, has a pediment supported 
by pillars ) beneath this, under an arch, is the upright 
figure of Mrs. Jane Fowell, wrapped in a winding 
sheet, which is tied in the usual manner above the 
head. On either side the monument, outside the 



st. Andrew’s church. 513 

pillars, is a circular medallion ; on one of these is 
represented four small half-length figures, with the 
names, “ Henry, 4; William, 3 ; Edmond, 1; John, 
2 ; ” and on the other, two small half-length figures, 
with the names, “Ann,” “Jane.” At the top is a 
shield, bearing the arms of Eowell ( argent , a chevron, 
sable , on a chief, gules, three mullets of the first) sur¬ 
mounted by a skull. On the spandrels, and at the 
bottom, are also the arms of Eowell and others, and 
beneath the figure, “ Mors Mihi Lucrum Cubylc 
Sepulchram.” The inscription is as follows:— 

“ Here resteth tlie body of Jane the daughter of Sr Anthonye Barker of 
Sunning in Barkeshire, Knt, deceased, late Wife of Edmonde Eowell of Plymouth 
Esq, who died the 23rd day of May, Anno Domini 1G40, having issue that survived 
her four sons and two daughters.” 

Another tablet has an entablature and shield of arms, 
supported by two pillars on either side. In the centre, 
under an oval, lies the figure of a lady, habited in 
the dress of the period, and at her foot stands a 
child, holding a skull in the right hand. At the top 
are the arms of Goodyeare fgules , a fesse between two 
chevrons, erminej with crest and mantling, and at the 
bottom is also a shield of arms. The inscription is— 

Heer Lyeth the Body of IVdetli late the wife of Mr Moyses Goodyeare, Mer¬ 
chant, Daughter of Mr Abraham Goodyeare, aged 24 yeares, who Died in Child¬ 
birth of a Sonne Dead-borne the 21st October 1642. Heer is also interred their 
Sonne Abraham Goodyeare, aged 2 yeares who died the 30th September 1641. 

I being Deliver’d of a Dead-borne Sonne 
My Soules Deliver’d and my Labour done 
His Birth-day wrought my death to sweeten this 
Death is to me the Birth-day of my Bliss 
Mors Natatis seternetatis. 

Another tablet, to the Sparke family, is curious for its 
allusion to the name. At the top are the arms of 
Sparke (chequy, or and vert , a bend, ermine) in a 
lozenge, in the centre, and on one side Sparke, and 
on the other, barry wavy of six, or and gules. , The 



514 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


inscription is— 

“ To the precious Memory of that Truly Vertuous Gentlewoman Mrs. Mary 
Sparke, Daughter of Jonathan Sparke of this Towne Esq who departed this Life 
the xxx. Day of December Anno Domini 1665 

Life’s but a Sparke, a weak uncertain breath 
No sooner kindled than puft out by Death. 

Such was my name, my frame, my fate, yet I 
Am still a living Sparke, though thus I dye, 

And Shine in Heaven’s orbe, a star most bright, 

Though Death on Earth so soon Eclipt my light.” 

Another has— 

“ Here Lyeth Buried The Body of Mr. John Sparke who departed this Life The 
xix. of August, Anno Domini 1603. And also of Milian His Wife who Departed 
The xxviii. of December Anno Domini 1583.” 

On a tablet bearing the arms of Carter, azure , a talbot 
passant between three buckles, or, in a lozenge, is— 

“In Memory of Mrs. Constance Carter, Daughter of Mr. John & Constance 
Carter of this Town, who dyed ye 3d of May in ye 23 year of her age and was 
buryed near this place 1674.” 

A remarkably curious and rude Egyptianesque tablet, 
on which are represented a female kneeling before a 
lectern, and three smaller figures of two of her 
daughters and one son, on a kind of bracket, or shelf, 
behind her, bears the following inscription:— 

“ In memory of Elizabeth the Wife of Edward Calmady & Daughter of 
George Baron Esqr who died ye 3 day of February 1645, and of their children 3 
here interred, to wit Edward aged 6 yeares, Elizabeth 9 yeares, and Mary 16 yeares. 

Mors Janua Vitae.” 

At the bottom are the Calmady arms, azure a chevron, 
between three pears, slipped, or; and on either side is 
a shield of arms of their alliances. The date at the 

bottom, 1645. 

N % ' 

In the south transept is a fine and elaborate tablet to 
the memory of George Strelley, Esq. At the top 
is a shield, bearing the arms of Strelley, with its 
quarterings, as follows:—1st, Strelley, paly of six, 
argent and azure; 2nd, Somerville, argent , an eagle 
displayed sable , armed and langued, gules; 3rd, 
Sacheverell, argent , on a saltire, sable, three water 




515 


st. Andrew’s church. 

bougets, of the first; 4th, .... argent , a chevron 
between three martlets, sable; 5th, Vavasour, or, a 
fesse dancette, sable ; 6th, Eeding, argent , three boars’ 
heads, erased, sable; 7th, St. Amand, quarterly: 1st 
and 4th, argent , a bend, azure , between a mullet in 
chief and an annulet in base, gules; 2nd and 3rd, 
argent , a bend engrailed, sable ; 8th, Strelley repeated. 
On either side are shields of arms of Strelley impaling 
St. Amand, and at the bottom the arms of Strelley 
alone. The inscription is as follows :— 

“Erected by Mrs. Ann Strelley, widow, daughter of John St. Amand, 
of Mansfield, in the County of Nottingham, Esq., in Memory of George 
Strelley, Esq., her late husband deceased who Lineally descended from Strelley 
of Strelley an Antient family in that County and was Maior of this Borough in 
the year 1667 where (after 63 years conversation in this world, Loveing mercy, 
doeing justice, and walking humbly with God) he peaceably (on the 16th day of 
February 1673) Resigned this life for an heavenly habitation (leaveing Issue by the 
said Ann only George Strelley his sonn and heir) and resteth interred neere this 
funerall Pile in certaine hopes of a Glorious Resurrection. 

Ransack this lower Orbe youle Scarcely finde 
Such Peace, such Piety, in one behinde. 

Diamonds have flaws (His actions were so just) 

His name had none : His fame Survives his dust. 

True charity and zeale adorne his Herse 
And scorne the flattrys of a Poet’s Verse 
Non Mortuus, sed Dormit.” 

Under the gallery, in the south transept, are the 
following:— 

“Sacred to the Memory of Mrs. J. Dunsterville, the amiable wife of Barthw. 
Dunsterville, Esqr., Alderman and Magistrate of Plymouth, his native Town. 

She died on the 11th day of July, 1815, aged 64 years, and is buried, with nine of 
her children, in a Family Grave in the higher Church Yard, which is there 
noticed. Bartholomew Dunsterville, Esqr., survived his beloved Wife nearly 20 
years, and died on the 7th May, 1835, aged 89 years ; Having been blessed in his 
last Moments by the Return of His Son, Col. Dunsterville, from India, after an 
absence of 31 years.” 

“Sacred to Lucy, the beloved Wife of Lieut.-Col. Dunsterville, who departed 
this life at Bombay, in the East Indies, December the 3rd, 1834, aged 43 years, 
after eighteen year’s devoted to the duties of an affectionate Wife, a most fond 
and anxious Mother. After having visited the Ship, by which her care was to be 
rewarded by conveying her to her loved Children, and her native land, It was the 
Almighty’s will to call her hence, Leaving her bereaved Husband, two Sons, and 
two Daughters, to feel the awful truth that, ‘ In the midst of Life we are 
in death.’” 

Another tablet records the death of her husband, 


516 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


James Henderson Hunsterville, who became a Major- 
General in the Bombay Army. u He was a faithful 
servant of the Honorable E. I. Company for 30 years, 
7 of which he was Commissary-General.” He died 
July 12th, 1858. 

An elegant tablet, with the inscription on a roll, at 
the top of which is an exquisitely carved sword, 
surmounted by the crest of Havelock, a lion rampant 
holding a battle axe (by Bedford, of London), bears 
the following inscription 

“ Sacred to the Memory of Charles Wemys Havelock, Lieutenant 66th Gooklias, 
and 2nd in command 12th Irregular Cavalry, the beloved and only son of Major- 
General Charles Frederick Havelock, Imperial Ottoman Army, and of Mary, his 
wife. He was killed in Action at Tigra, Oude, with Sir E. Lugard’s Force, whilst 
gallantly leading his men, of the 12th Irregular Cavalry, in a charge against the 
Rebels. Born February 16, 1834. Died 11 April, 1858. ‘ The Blood of Jesus 

Christ, His Son, cleanseth us from all sin.’ 1st John, chap. 1, verse 7.” 

On a slab, in the floor, is the following inscription 
to the memory of the only surviving son of the great 
ballad-hero Admiral Vernon, who is immortalised on 
innumerable medals as having taken Portobello with 
only six ships of the line :— 

“ Here lies the body of James Vernon, Esq., only surviving son of Admiral 
Vernon, who, returning by sea from the south of France, was landed here 
dangerously ill from a bloody Flux, the 6th day of July, 1753, and dyed the 25th of 
the said month, in the 23rd year of his age.” 

One of the most important tablets is the u Citadel 
Monument,” on which Sir John Skelton, sometime 
Governor of the Citadel, and his wife, Bridget 
Prideaux, are represented kneeling at a lectern. Of 
this monument we give an engraving. It bears the 
following inscription:— 

“Here lyeth the Body of Sr. John Skelton Knt. Lieut. Governor of this 
Place & Deputy Lieut, of this County who by Dame Bridget Prideaux his 
wife had issue five Sonns and one Daughter viz John his eldest Sonn—who dyed 
younge. Beuill his second Sonn Groome of the Bed Chamber and Capt. of the 
Guardes to his present Majesty Grenuill his 3rd Sonn who dyed younge John his 
4th Sonn : Charles his 5th Sonn Elizabeth his Daughter who likewise dyed younge 
Having loyally served his Prince Both in his Exile and since his Restoreation dyed 
the 24tli December Anno 1672. 





517 


st. Andrew's church. 


The family to which Sir John Skelton belonged 
is of considerable antiquity in Cumberland and York¬ 
shire, its principal seat being Armthwaite Castle, 



which had been in the family for several generations 
prior to 1712, when it was sold by Richard Skelton. 
From the time of Edward II. to Henry VIII. the 









































































































518 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


honor of knighthood was held in succession by its 
members. Sir John Skelton was page of honor to 
Charles II. while in exile, and married Bridget, 
daughter of Sir Peter Prideaux and Lady Christian 
Grenvile, his wife, and granddaughter of Sir Bevil 
Grenvile. He was knighted and appointed Governor 
of Plymouth by King Charles in 1660, and made 
Deputy-Lieutenant of the county of Devon 1665. 
He died 1672. The monument was erected by Bevil 
Skelton, who, at the time of his father’s death, was 
Groom of the Bedchamber and Captain of the Guard, 
and was afterwards knighted. He quartered the 
arms of Grenvile and Prideaux with his own, and 
married Prances, daughter and heiress of Sir Kobert 
Lemster, of Eavely, Huntingdonshire, by whom he 
had an only son, who, upon coming of age, took 
the name of his paternal grandfather. Of the five 
sons named on the monument, three only arrived 
at maturity, viz., the 2nd, Bevil; the 5tli, Charles, 
who held a lieutenant’s commission in the French 
army; and the 4th, John, who settled on one of the 
Prideaux estates in or near the parish of Modbury. 
The arms as represented on the monument, were 
granted by Charles, as the arms of “ Sir John 
Skelton, of Plymouth.” Bevil Skelton and his 
brother Grenvile were named in honor of their 
maternal great grandfather, Sir Bevil Grenvile. 
Of John, fourth son of Sir John Skelton, of Ply¬ 
mouth, little need be said beyond the fact that 
he married and had two sons, John and James, and, 
with the sale of the Prideaux estates, the family 
declined, Peter Skelton, of Ermington, son of James 


st. Andrew’s church. 


519 


Skelton, being the last who held property in the 
neighbourhood. There are, however, several of the 
descendants of the family still residing in Plymouth 
and Devonport, amongst whom are Dr. John Skelton, 
of Plymouth, whose son, Dr. John Skelton, is a physi¬ 
cian in London. 

Among the other inscriptions in the Church are 
the following:— 

“ John Gandy, M.A., Prebendary of Exeter, and Vicar of this Parish. Died 
August the 15th 1824 : aged 84. A beautiful example of the Christian Pastor, 
he endeared himself to his flock during the long period of Fifty six years. 
Devoting himself to acts of usefulness and Benevolence, he exercised the Endow¬ 
ments of a powerful mind in the spirit of one who knew that he was a Steward, 
and desired only to be found faithful. This Memorial of grateful Veneration is 
erected by those who esteemed his Friendship a privilege, and his Ministry a 
public blessing.” 

“ To Catherine, the Wife of Admiral Sir.Thomas Byam Martin, G.C.B., and 
Daughter of Robert Fansliawe, Esqr. She was born at Plymouth the 2nd 
January, 1775, and died the 25th of March 1849. Blessed be her Memory. Also to 
Sir Thomas Byam Martin, G.C.B., Admiral of the Fleet, and Vice-Admiral of the 
United Kingdom, who, during 16 years, represented this Borough in Parliament. 
Died 21st of October, 1854, aged 81.” 

“Erected By Admiral Sir T. Byam Martin, G.C.B., to the Memory of his 
youngest son, Lt.-Colonel Robert Fansliawe Martin, Deputy Adjutant-General of 
the Queen’s Forces, in the Bombay Presidency. He was born at Plymouth June 
19, 1805. He died at Poona, in the East Indies, July 13, 1846. A Brother Officer 
gives a just Epitome of his character in the following words—' Colonel Martin was 
a thorough Soldier, and full of Honesty and Truth.’” 

“ D. O. M.—In this Church Yard 75 feet North of this Tablet lie the remains 
of Henry Falkner, late of Derby, only Son of the late John Falkner, Gent, 
Solicitor, of Nottingham, who died the 11th day of August, 1817, (on board the 
Brig Sicily, bound to Gibraltar, but driven into this Port by contrary winds) in 
the 31st year of his age. At the instance of Maternal Affection This Tablet is 
erected; but in the Hearts of all his sorrowing Relatives and Friends whilst Life 
is spared to them, will his Memory exist.” 

“ Sacred to the Memory of Joseph Whiteford, Esquire, Who retiring from 
Professional Life in the Vigor of his Faculties, Devoted himself during many Years 
to the Duties of the Magistracy and the service of the Charitable, and other Public 
Institutions of this Town. Universally respected for the Integrity and Moderation 
of his Character, and beloved for the kindliness of his Disposition, He closed a long 
career of useful Labor and active Benevolence on the 23rd January, 1849, in the 
79th year of his age, His Children, in grateful Remembrance of his unceasing 
Affection and Parental care, have inscribed this Tablet to his Memory.” 

“ To the Memory of Captain Nicholas Lockyer, R.N., C.B., Who died in com¬ 
mand of Her M.S. Albion, at Malta, February 27 Anno Domini 1847 aged 65 years. 
This Tablet is erected by the Officers and Ship’s Company of Her M.S. Albion, and 
a few Shipmates, as a Testimonial of their Regard and Esteem to him, their late 
Captain and Friend.” 



52,0 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


“Sacred to the Memory of the Revd. John Heyrick Macaulay, M.A., of 
Trinity College, Cambridge, late Head Master of Repton School, and formerly of 
the New Grammar School, Plymouth. By his accurate Scholarship, strict and im¬ 
partial Discipline and unwearied Diligence, He enabled many of his pupils to 
attain Academic distinction. By his domestic Virtues, generous Hospitality, and 
high companionable qualities, He secured the devoted affection of his Family, and 
endeared himself to a large circle of acquaintance. To the Poor, he was a kind 
and liberal Benefactor: and the Regard entertained for his character, as a 
Christian Minister, is Recorded, where it was best known, on a worthier Monument 
at Repton, where he suddenly died, December 18, 1840, aged 42 years. As a 
tribute to his moral, social, and intellectual worth, This Tablet has been erected by 
his Friends and Pupils of this Neighbourhood.” 

“ To perpetuate the Memory of departed worth This stone is inscribed with 
the names of Mary Johns, who died February 2, 1792, and of Thomas Johns, her 
husband, who rested from the Labors of a well-spent Life May 17th, 1797, aged 67. 
The mould’ring Form below to dust consigned 
Was once the mansion of a polish’d mind. 

A mind enrich’d with sentiment and taste, 

By Virtue dignifi’d, by talents grac’d, 

Fraught with each charm that gladdens wedded life, 

Exalts the Mother, or endears the wife. 

Nor rests she here alone, the lifeless frame 
Of him with whom she shar’d a heart and name 
Here shares with her the Almighty’s awful doom ; 

Sleeps near her ashes, and pai'takes her tomb. 

Far above human praise his V irtues rise, 

Their true Memorial is beyond the skies.” 

“William Woollcombe, M.D., Died on the 23 of May, 1822, aged 49 years, and 
lies buried at Plympton St. Mary. His Humanity, Skill, and Liberality, in the 
discharge of his Professional Duties, were not less eminent than his general 
Knowledge, his sound and discriminating Judgment, and the peculiar mildness 
and benevolence of his Character. His Loss was deplored as a Public Calamity, 
in this his native place, and in the surrounding country. The numerous Friends 
in whose Hearts his Memory is fondly cherished, express their sincere and 
affectionate regret and gratitude, by inscribing this Monument with his Name.” 

“Near this Place Lies the Body of Philip De Sausmarez, Esq., Commander 
of his Majesty’s Ship ye Nottingham. He was the Son of Mathw. de Sausmarez, 
of the Island of Guernsey, Esq., by Ann Durell, of the Island of Jersey, his wife, 
families of Antiquity and Repute in those parts. He was born Novr. 17th 1710 and 
gloriously but unfortunately fell by a cannon ball Octobr 14th 1747, in pursuing 
two Ships of the Enemy that were making their Escape when the French were 
routed under the command of Admiral Hawke. Out of gratitude and affection 
his brothers and sisters have caus’d a Monument to be erected to his Memory in 
Westminster Abbey.” 

“Sacred to the Memory of Hugh Walker, Esq., Surgeon R.N., aged 52 of 
Larne, in the County of Antrim in Ireland, who on his return from a third voyage 
to New South Wales found his beloved Wife and (only) child deposited in the 
Family Vault beneath as Commemorated on the adjoining Monument, in deep 
affliction and agony of mind undertook his fourth voyage to that Country, from 
whence returning in the Ship Cumberland of London in the Month of May 1827, 
he together with the Captain (Carne) the whole Crew and all the Passengers are 
believed to have perished at Sea in the South Pacific Ocean. A small vestige of the 
Ship only was discovered giving too melancholy a proof of the afflictive nature of 
the event. ‘ It is not in Man that walketh to direct his steps.’ * That they may 
know that this is thy hand and that thou Lord has done it.’ ‘ The Righteous will 
consider this and rejoice ! ’” 


ST. ANDREW'S CHURCH. 


“Sacred to the Memory of Catherine wife of Hugh Walker, Esqr. Surgeon 
R N. and Daughter of the late Tlios. B. Darracott,Esqr, an Alderman of this his 
Native Town, who died 12th September 1825, aged 51 Years, Also of Thomas 
Samuel their Son who Died 3rd May, 1826, aged 10 Years. Their Mortal Remains 
are deposited in the Family Vault of the Darracotts the Entrance to which, is close 
on the Inside of the Southern Door of this Church.” 

“ Sacred to the Memory of John Yarde Fownes Esqr. (Lineal Descendant of 
Thomas Fownes, Mayor of Plymouth in 1620,) Who departed this life 22nd 
October, 1839 ; aged 67. Also of John Yarde Fownes, son of the above, Who died 
16th January, 1839 ; aged 20 ” 

“Consecrated to the Remains of Mrs. Anne Hill, wife of Captn. Henry Hill, 
of the Royal Navy, and Daughter of the ltevd. James Worsley, Rector of 
Gatcombe, in the Isle of Wight, who departed this life Sept. 23rd, 1800 ; aged 23 
years. 

Here let the Proud, the Volatile, and Gay, 

Who bask and glitter in life’s little Day, 

Who follow Pleasure, thro’ the maze of Fate, 

And never dream of their precarious State : 

Here let them pause, and read Beneath this Stone, 

Lies every female Virtue, joined in one. 

If Beauty ye require, a fairer form 
Could never catch the Eye, or Bosom warm ; 

Yet, fairer still, her mind displayed thro’ life, 

The best of Daughters, Sisters, Mother, Wife. 

Heaven view’d th’ Angelic soul with fond Regard, 

And snatch’d her early to a blest Reward. ” 

‘‘To the memory of the Revd. Thomas Byrth, D.D., F.A.S., for fifteen years 
Rector of Wallasey, who departed this life October 28, 1849, Aged 56 years. This 
Tablet is erected by his Parishioners and Friends, in token of their gratitude to 
God, who gave to this Parish a Teacher so earnest and eloquent, a Friend so faith¬ 
ful and affectionate, an Example so bright of a Christian life. He is pure from the 
Blood of all men, for he hath not shunned to declare unto us all the Counsel of 
God. The Marble Tablet on which the above was inscribed having been destroyed 
by the Fire which, in February 1857, burnt Wallasey Church, Cheshire, to the 
ground, the bereaved Widow has erected this Memorial to her beloved and revered 
Husband, in the Church where he often Ministered.” 

“ Sacred to the memory of Albert Edward Hutchinson late Sub-Lieutenant 
of H.M.S. Tartar, second son of Commander Hutchinson R.N. and Hannah his 
wife, who was drowned in Simons Bay on the night of the 14tli February 1865 by 
the Swamping of a Boat. He was on his return to his Native Land, after an 
absence of about 4 years, when thus suddenly cutoff in his 21st year, to the deep 
grief of his Parents, his only surviving Brother, and Sisters, by whom this Tablet 
has been erected to his beloved Memory. I. Corinthians, ch. 11, v. IX. In my 
Father’s House are many Mansions. St. John, XIV. ch., II. v.” 

“ This Tablet is erected by a few friends in affectionate remembrance of the 
Rev. Henry Eugene Flos Tracey M.A., Incumbent of the District of St. Stephen- 
in-the-Fields, Paddington, and to commemorate the ability and devotedness with 
which during four years he preached the Gospel, and performed all the duties of a 
Christian Minister, as Curate of St. Andrew’s, Plymouth. He died at Hastings, 
respected, loved, and lamented, on the 8tli of May 1866 aged 34 years.” 

“Sacred to the Memory of Two beloved Sisters, whose Remains are interred 
near this Place ; Mrs. Rebecca Hirst, Widow of the late Arthur Hirst, Lieut, in 
the Royal Invalids, Who Died 4tli April, 1820, aged 84 Years. She gave by her 
Will, among other Charitable Bequests, to the Vicar of this Parish, Two Hundred 
Pounds ; upon Trust to lay out the Interest in the Purchase of Coals and Bread, 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


to be Distributed to the Poor of the said Parish, annually for ever. Also, Mrs. 
Sarah King, Widow of the late Richard King, of Fowelscombe in this County, 
Esquire, who died 17tli January, 1824, aged 83 Years. She also gave by her Will, 
to the Vicar of this Parish, Fifty Pounds ; upon Trust, to lay out the Interest 
thereof, in the Purchase of Coals, to be distributed to the Poor of the said Parish, 
annually, for ever. As a Tribute of Gratitude and Respect, this Monument is 
erected by their Executor, Thomas Taylor.” 

“ Underneath Lies Buryed the Body of Mr. James Yonge, Phisitian, <fc Fellow 
of the Royal Society, who was once Mayor of this his Native Town, and dyed the 
25th day of July 1721. in the 76th year of his age. And by him his Beloved Wife 
Jane who dyed Novr. 25th 1708 in the Sixtyeth year of her Age, after having lived 
near 40 years in wedlock, and born 9 Children.” 


“Near this Place lie the Remains of Frances Troubridge, Wife of Captain 
Thomas Troubridge, of the Royal Navy, who died June the xm. MDCCXCVIII, 
Aged xxxviii Years. Also in the same Grave is interred Elizabeth daughter 
of Captain Thomas Troubridge and of Frances his Wife. She died xxivth April 
MDCCXCIV, in the Vth year of her age.” 

“ His Parents cheerful joy and grief lies heere 
Their only child like Abrams sacrifice 
Wliome the Almighties fatall Marshall kills 
To Gods Will then did they resign their wills 
Like Noah’s Dove in the tempestuous seas 
Of a distracted state he found no ease 
His soule thene mounted like the early larke 
To find a resting place in Heaven his Arke” 

At the bottom is a monogram of the letters M. and W., and the date 1684. 

rebekah’s tombstone. 

“ To the memory 

of Mrs. Rebekah Hughes, Wife 17 yeers to 
Mr. G: H : Minr. of the Gospel in Plymo. 
the 4th davghter to Iohn Vpton of Lvpton 
Esqr. who deceasing on the 10th day of 
Ivne 1661 in the 41st yeer of her 
age, is interred neer this Pillar 
and being dead yet speaketh 
My Gold I have Arise I shall: 

Now in the grave When God doth call 

Death is no pain Look vpon me 

Christ made it gain And Godly be 

Next her another 
Lieth a mother, 

Frances Hughes.” 


“ Sacred to the Memory of Peter Immanuel Schow who departed this Life 
on the 24tli of May 1842; aged 74 years 36 of which he faithfully discharged 
the duties of his office, as His Majesty’s Danish Consul, for the AYestern District 
of England. ‘The Memory of the Just is blessed.’ Also Jane relict of the above 
who departed this life December 2 1855, aged 82 years.” 


“ In Memory of Sir John Coode Knight, Commander of the Most Honourable 
Order of the Bath, Knight of the Order of St. Ferdinand and Merit, and Knight of 
the Order of Wilhelm of the Netherlands, Vice-Admiral of the Royal Navy, Born 
at Penryn, 11th February, 1779, Died at Plymouth, 19tli January, 1858. Also o 
Elizabeth, his AVife, eldest daughter of Vice-Admiral Sir Charles Vincombe 
Penrose, K.C.B., who died 7 March, 1849.” 

“ Sacred to the Memory of Sir George Magrath, Doctor of Medicine, Inspector 
of Her Majesty’s Fleet and Hospitals, Commander of the Most Honourable Order 


ST. ANDREW’S CHURCH. 


523 


of the Bath, Knight of the Royal Guelphic Order of Hanover, Knight Commander 
of the Order of the Cross of Christ of Portugal, Fellow of the Royal College of 
Physicians, London and Edinburgh; Fellow of the Royal and Linnean and 
Geological Societies, and Member of other Learned Bodies. He was born in the 
year 1772, and died at Plymouth, June 12, 1857. A ripe Scholar and a skilful 
Physician, he served his country by sea and by land for a quarter of a century. 

A follower of the immortal Nelson, his friend and patron, in all things he did his 
duty—as an Officer, with zeal; as a Citizen, with dignity; and as a Friend, with 
devotion. He was distinguished by nations for his public services.” 

Some of the most interesting tablets in St. Andrew’s 
Church are those to the Artist-sons of Plymouth, and 
to their families, and to other men whose greatness 
in the various walks of “the polite arts” has been 
their own making, and whose genius has cast such 
a bright and lasting halo around the locality. Among 
these memorials are the following:— 

A beautifully painted tablet on panel, to the memory 
of Philip Pearse. On it are exquisitely painted 
cherub’s heads, winged skulls, drapery, etc., and the 
inscription:— 

“ In Memory of Philip Pearse of this Town, Painter, Who died the 16th day 
Feby. 1724 in the 70th year of his Age, and was buried near this place. As were 
also 9 of his Children.” 

An oval tablet bearing a wreath and urn, on which 
are inscribed the names, “ Samuel Northcote,” “Mary 
Northcote,” above which, on a ribbon, is “ Christi 
Crux est mea Lux.” On the square tablet upon 
which rests the urn, is the inscription:— 

“To the Memory of Samuel Northcote of Plymouth who died on the 13 
November 1791 in the 83rd year of his age, and of Mary his Wife who died on the 
3rd of September 1778 in the 67th year of her age. In this Church also are interred 
the remains of all those of his family who have deceased since its settlement at 
Plymouth about the year 1630.” 

Another tablet, with simple ornament, bears the follow¬ 
ing record:— 

“ In Memory of Samuel Northcote, Elder brother of James Northcote Esq 
• Member of the Royal Academy of London. He was born in the parish of St. 
Andrew, Plymouth, and was buried there 9th May, 1813 aged 70 years. Also in 
Memory of Mary Northcote, who was born in the Parish of St. Andrew, Plymouth, 
Died in Argyl Place, 25 May 1836 aged 85 years, and was buried beside her brother 
James in the Church of St. Mary-Le-Bone, London.” 



5!i4 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


A pretty and simple tablet records the memory of 
Samuel Prout, thus:— 

“ In memory of Samuel Prout, Eminent in his profession as a Painter, born at 
Plymouth, September 17 1783, Died, deeply lamented, at Denmark Hill, Surrey, 
February 10 1852. He was a sincere and humble Christian relying alone upon his 
Saviour. ‘ Verily verily I say unto you He that believeth on me hath everlasting 
Life.’ St. John vi. 47 verse. ” 

In literature and science the tablets already described 
to Dr. Mudge, Dr. Woolcombe, Dr. Yonge, Bev. J. II. 
Macaulay, and others, amply testify to the interest 
of the memorials in this Church, and to these is 
added a simple, unassuming gothic tablet, in white 
marble, but of poor design, erected to the memory of 
Charles Mathews, the comedian, who, dying in 
Plymouth, was here buried. The tablet, which bears 
the name, as sculptor, of “J. Brown, Stonehouse,” 
is thus inscribed :—* 

“ Near this Spot are deposited the honoured Remains of Charles Mathews, 
Comedian ; Born 28th June, 1776. Died 28th June, 1835. Not to commemorate 
that Genius which his Country acknowledged and rewarded, and Men of every 
Nation confessed ; nor to record the worth which secured the respect and attach¬ 
ment of his admirers and friends ; but, as an humble Tribute to his devoted, 
unvarying affection and indulgence as a Husband and Father, this Tablet is erected 
in sorrowing Love and grateful Remembrance by his bereaved Wife and Son. 

“ BY A FRIEND. 

“ All England mourn’d, when her Comedian died, 

A public loss that ne’er might be supplied ; 

For who could hope such varied gifts to find, 

All rare and exquisite, in one combined ? 

The private virtues that adorn’d his breast, 

Crowds of admiring Friends with tears confess’d, 

Only to Thee, O God ! the grief was known 
Of those who rear this Monumental Stone ; 

The Son and W 7 idow, who, with Bosoms torn, 

The best of Fathers and of Husbands mourn, 

Of all this public, social, private woe, 

Here lies the cause—Charles Mathews sleeps below.” 

* It would be pleasant to add to these a note that suitable memorials exist in this 
Church (whose spacious vestibule is admirably adapted for, and should be used as 
a valhallali of Plymouth worthies) to other gifted sons of the place—Sir Charles Lock 
Eastlake, PR A. ; Benjamin Haydn; James Northcote (who, by the way, is stated to 
have left a sum in his will for the purpose of putting up a memorial to himself and 
his brother); Samuel Cook; Ball; John Opie; and Dr. John Ivitto, one of the most 
profound and learned scholars of any age, and to whom not only Plymouth, in whose 
Workhouse he was once a poor boy, but the whole civilised world, is indebted fox- 
many works, besides his “Biblical Cyclopaedia.” Cannot the town do something towards 
erecting simple, but lasting, memorials to these great names? 



st. Andrew’s church. 


525 


A tablet commemorates the death of Mr. Edward 
Nettleton, bookseller, of Plymouth, to whose industry 
and good taste is owing the collection of much of 
the matter which forms the foundation of this work. 
The inscription reads thus :— 

“ To the Memory of Edward Nettleton of this Town who died February 22 
1859 Aged 65 years; and in Memory of Matilda his daughter, and Wife of John 
Libby, who died April 11 1847 aged 24 years.” 

Besides these, memorials exist, among others, to the 
following:—John Hawkins, Esq., many years Pay¬ 
master of the South Devon Militia, 1819. Yice- 
Admiral Samuel Hood Linzie, 1820. William Baron, 
18G2, and his wife, Sarah Baron, 1867. “Frederick 
Bone, Esq., Paymaster, Eoyal Havy, a native of this 
town, who died on the 28th June, 1863, in the 77th 
year of his age. He served the office of Churchwarden 
of this parish for twenty-eight consecutive years.” 
Eliza Pym, wife of the late Eev. E. Pym, vicar of 
Bickleigh, 1867. T. H. Bolt, Esq., eldest son of 
J. D. Eolt, Esq., of Broomfield, Deptford, Kent, 
1866. Lieut. John Cartwright, B.N., 1865, and 
Helena Augusta, his wife, 1862; William Jacobson, 
1866, erected by his wife, Mary Grace Furneaux 
Jacobson. William Copeland, Esq., of Sussex House, 
Fulham, 2nd son of Alexander Copeland, Esq., Gun- 
nersbury Park, Middlesex, 1836. Eleanor, wife of 
Edmund Lockyer, Esq., 1807. Thomas Henry Brooke, 
Esq., formerly of the Honorable East Indian Com¬ 
pany’s Civil Service, Island of St. Helena, June, 
1849 ; and Ann, his widow, September of the same 
year. Yice-Admiral John Manley, 1816 ; his son, 
Captain John Dampen Manley, E.K., 1817; and 
Elizabeth, widow of the Admiral, 1832. Miss 




526 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


Amelia Henrietta Dunsterville, daughter of Bartho¬ 
lomew Dunsterville, in 1841; and “Jana Maria 
Welch, her friend,” 1843. Sir John Dineley, 1818. 
Diggory Tonkin, Esq., 1791. Mrs. Mary Ann 
Bosdew, wife of William Bosdew, and daughter of 
Diggory Tonkin, Esq., 1794. Bichard Bosdew, 
of Beechwood, 1837. Joseph May, 1766, and other 
members of his family. Mrs. Sarah Beynett, wife 
of H. J. Beynett, Esq., 1804. William Battenbury, 
surgeon, 1847. Mary, “widow of General Hughes, 
B.M., and grandchild of Alderman Facey (who was 
twice Mayor of this Antient Corporation, haying 
worthily discharged the duties thereof),” 1822. Aider- 
man John Pridham, 1829, and Elizabeth, his wife, 1827. 
Charles Christopher Lockyer and William Lockyer, 
sons of Thomas Lockyer, Esq., of Wembury House, 
1828 and 1858; and Louisa, wdfe of William 
Lockyer, 1845; “erected by Major-General Henry 
Frederick Lockyer, C.B., K.H. (brother of the above 
Charles and William Lockyer), and James Lawes 
Lockyer, of Wembury, their nephew, April 1860.” 
Edmund Lockyer, Esq., 1836; “erected by the great- 
granddaughter, Mary Eleanor Ann Pym, August, 
A.D. 1855.” Major-General George Elliott Vini- 
combe, Commandant of the Plymouth Division of 
Boyal Marines, 1841; and his wife Dorothy, 1844. 
Margaret, widow of Lieutenant-Colonel George Fearon, 
31st Begiment of Foot, 1841. John Sleeman King, 
1846; and Jane, his wife, 1834. William Harson 
Bayly, aged 19, 1851; and Caroline Ann Chapman 
Bayly, aged 16, 1851, brother and sister; children of 
William Harson Bayly, Esq., and Leah Bundell, his 



st. Andrew’s church. 


527 


wife ; and other of their children. And another to 
William Harson Bayly,"1858. James Bovey, Ensign 
and Quartermaster South Devon Militia, 1855; and 
his granddaughter, M. A. E. Matcham, 1856. A neat 
gothic recessed tablet to Augustus Hamilton Bampton, 
C.E., Borough Surveyor, 1857; “ erected by a few 
friends: C. A. Hartley, George Wightwick, P. J. 
Margary, E. A. Bishop, Walter Damant.” A 
singular slab to a member of the family of James; 
at the top, in an oval, are two singularly carved shields 
of arms, side by side, with crests and mantling. Mrs. 
Mary Murch, wife of Mr. Joseph Murch, of the Globe 
Inn, Plymouth, 1827 ; Joseph Murch, her husband, 
1830 ; and to various members of their family. Lieu¬ 
tenant Owen Phipps, of the Boscommon Militia, 1813; 
erected by his brother officers. Beverend Frederick 
Pym, M.A., vicar of Bickleigh-cum - Sheep stor, eldest 
son • of Vice-Admiral Sir Samuel Pym, Iv.C.B., by 
Eleanor Penrose, his wife, daughter of Edmund 
Lockyer, Esq., 1848. William Johnstone Maclie, 
1831. Flower, wife of Philip Phillips, surgeon, 
and Anne Spinster Pacey, 1796. Prances, wife of 
Capt. Thomas Troubridge, 1798, and their daughter, 
Elizabeth, 1794. Henry Hayne, 1797; and various 
members of the Hayne, White, and Lindon families, 
down to 1859. Jonathan Baron, 1805; and Jane, 
his wife, 1821. General Hughes—“This tablet, 
piously erected by their next of kin, Francis Annesley 
Hughes, in memory of a tender Father and a zealous 
Soldier, General Hughes, some years Lieutenant- 
Colonel of the Plymouth Division of Boyal Marines; 
and of two fond Brothers, who fell in H.M. service. 



528 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


John, a Lieutenant R.N.; Thomas, a Captain, R.A., 
1808.” Mrs. Margaret Smith Clark, 1786. Mrs. Jane 
Morsheacl, 1775. John Morshead, 1771. Eichard 
Dunning, 1795. Benjamin Dunning, 1731. Mrs. Eliza¬ 
beth Dunning, 1754; and others to the Dunning and 
James families. Deader Watts, Esq., 1839 ; and his 
wife, Ann, 1837. Charles Ivevern, “Assistant to the 
Master Shipwright in H.M. Dockyard, Plymouth,” 
1815; and his wife, Mary, 1810. Mrs. Ann Maxwell, 
widow of Archibald Maxwell, Esq., 1801; and her 
daughter, Elizabeth Cornthwaite Maxwell, 1842; 
erected by their daughter and sister, Ann Gilbert 
Maxwell. Capt. William Williams, “ late Capt. in 
the Company of Invalids in this Garrison,” 1775; 
Elizabeth, his wife, 1774 ; and Alice, their daughter, 
1779. Nicholas Jacobson, 1789; and Johanna, his 
wife, 1800. 

There were formerly Guilds and Chantries attached 
to St. Andrew’s Church, but of those only meagre 
particulars can now be gleaned. Regarding the Guild 
of Corpus Christi, a curious account of church ales 
has been given on page 76. 

In the Chantry Dolls of Devon and Cornwall is the 
following interesting entry :— 

“ Plymouth—The stipendarye there. Founded by-Dabnone and 

John Paynter. To fynd a pryst to praye for the sowles of the founders, and 
mynystre dyvine service in the quyer in the parish churche of Plymouthe ; paying 
unto Margaret Sommester, sometyme wyf unto Jonn Paynter, one of the sayd 
founders, xxiijs yerelye for her dowry, which is deue unto her during [her] naturall 
lyf. The yerelye value of the lands and possessions vij li xvs viijd. The almes 

house there called Goddeshouse. Founded by-For the relief of 

impotent and lazare peple, without any certayne nomber appoynted to be par¬ 
takers of the sayd relief ; forr there are at present but xiiij impotent peple relevyd 
sometyms there be xxti, somtyme more or less. And they have over and besyds 
tliire mansyon house the rents of certayn lands gyven by diverse persons. The 
yerelye value of the lands and possessions xiiijli vijs.” 





529 


st. Andrew’s church. 

The following curious indenture, 34, Ilenry VIII. 
(1543). refers to the chantry of St. John the Baptist, 
in St. Andrews :— 

“ Indenture between Thomas diamond, Esq., and the Mayor and Commonalty 
of Plymouth—Devisee of certain Lands for 99 years for the following uses:—To 
help towards the stipend of an honest Priest to serve within the parish Church of 
St. Andrew, there sometimes to sing Mass at the Altar of St. John the Baptist, to 
pray for the soul of John Taybyn (or Toybin) and his friends.” 

References to other Chantries and Guilds will he 
found in the curious extract from account of Church 
goods, given on a preceding page. 

In 1593 “the cage of five new bells were cast for 
Plymouth Church in the Workhouse;” in 1708 a 
ring of six fine hells was presented to the Church by 
Colonel Jory; in 1748 these • were recast into a peal 
of eight; in 1840, the tenor bell having become 
cracked in the previous year, was recast by Mears, 
of London. The following notice of this bell is 
painted on a board under the tower:— 

“ The present Tenor Bell was cast in London, and hung in the Tower 17tli July 
1840. It bears the following inscription:—This Bell was Founded by Thomas 
Mears, of London, a.d. 1840. John Hatchard, M.A., Vicar, Frederic 
Bone, Alfred Hingston, Churchwardens of St. Andrew's, Plymouth. Weight, 

35 Hundred 14 Pounds ; Breadth, 4 Feet 11 Inches ; Circumference, 15 Feet 2 
Inches ; Height, 3 Feet 5^ Inches, The Old Tenor Bell became cracked December, 
1839, and was removed to make room for the present July, 1840. It bore the 
following inscription :— Ego sum vox Clamantis Parate. Zach. Mudge, Vic. 
Geor. Marshall, Rich. Hicks, Eccles Guard; Conflabat Stipe Publice Collata Tho 
Biblie 1749. Weight, 35 Hundred 45 Pounds ; Breadth, 4 feet 10| inches; Circum¬ 
ference, 15 feet 0J inches ; Height 3 feet 6 inches. Note—This Bell became 
cracked by being struck too near its rim, in consequence of the descent of the 
Clapper from long use.” 

On another board is this inscription :— 

“ The Clock in the Tower of this Church was made 
by Mr. Thomas Mudge, of London, A.D. 1706. The 
same was repaired, and four dials affixed, by Mr. 
Frank H. Goulding, of this town, A.D. 1857. John 
Hatchard, Vicar. Frederick Bone, Alfred Hingston, 
Churchwardens. ’ ’ 




530 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


There are also four painted tablets of arms which 
are somewhat curious. One of these, dated 1619, 
bears the arms of the See, with mitre, mantling, etc. ; 
another, dated 1625, has the Boyal arms with crest, 
supporters, mantling, etc., of Charles I, with the letters 
C.B., each of which is crowned; a third, dated 1632, 
bears three shields, first Stert, argent , a saltire, gales , 
between four crosses pattee, sable , second, Kele, gules, 
a bend lozengy, ermine , third, Lanyon, argent , three 
sinister hands, gules; and the last, dated 1658, also 
bears two shields of arms. 

The following curious ringing laws also hang in the 
belfry:— 

“NOS RESONARE HIBET PlETAS MORS, ATQ. VOLUPTAS.” 

‘‘ Let awfull Silence first proclaimed be, 

And praise unto the holy Trinity, 

Then honour give unto our Valiant King, 

So, with a blessing, raise this noble King. 

Hark how the chirping Treble rings most clear, 

And Covering Tom comes Rowling in the Rear. 

Now up an end at stay, come let us see 
What Laws are best to keep Sobriety. 

Then all agree and make this their decree. 

Who Swear or Curse or in an hasty mood 
Quarrell and strikes altho’ they draw no blood ; 

Who wears his Hatt or Spurrs or turns a Bell 
Or by unskilfull handling rnarr’s a peal, 

Let him pay Six pence for each single crime— 

’Twill make him cautious ’gainst another time ; 

But if the Sextons fault an hindrance be 
We call from him the double penalty. 

If any should our Parson disrespect 
Or Wardens orders any time neglect 
Lett him be always held in foul disgrace 
And ever after banished this place. 

Now round lett goe with pleasure to the ear 
And peirce with eccho through the yeilding air, 

And when the bells are ceas’d then lett us Sing, 

God bless our holy Church—God save the King 
1700.” 

there was formerly a lich-gate at the entrance to 
the churchyard at the head of Basket-street. Here 
was the coffin-rest, built of stone, about five feet long, 




st. Andrew’s church. 


531 


by three and-a-half feet in width, and covered with a 
slab of slate; upon this the coffins were placed while 
waiting for the clergyman. At one period but few 
persons were buried in coffins—a coffin kept by the 
Corporation, being let out and used for funerals. In 
this the body was placed, wrapped up in its shroud, 
and carried to the churchyard. The coffin was then 
placed on this “ coffin-rest,” the corpse lifted out and 
carried to the grave, and the coffin taken away to be 
again used. 

If may be well here t6 say that Basket-street, just 
alluded to, and which has recently been removed to 
make room for the new municipal buildings, was 
lined with quaint-looking gabled houses, which had 
evidently at one time been inhabited by the u Dons 
of Plymouth.” From the entry of Basket-street a 
flight of twelve or fourteen steps led down from the 
“ Pig Market”—as that part was formerly called—to 
the entrance to the Church, and there an inn, bearing 
the sign of “ The Old Church House Inn,” stood; 
the site of the shops on the west side of Bedford- 
street being, at the same time, a timber yard. 

The churchyard is said to have been enclosed in 
1596, and it then occupied a considerable area. This 
was subsequently encroached upon, and in 1637 the 
vicar complained that the Mayor and Commonalty 
had encroached upon the east side f c by building a 
row of shambles and other houses on parts of the 
churchyard, and on the west side by building of the 
Hospital, where the vicar had anciently an house.” 
Some of these old houses, or others on their site, 
existed until 1813, when they, with many other 



532 HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 

obstructions, were removed, and the streets and road¬ 
ways widened. To commemorate this a tablet was 
placed in the churchyard wall, facing Old Town- 
street, bearing the following inscription :—“ Imme¬ 
diately in front of this wall lately stood a set of stalls 
called the Flesh Shambles, which narrowed the space 
from the opposite houses to about nine feet. 



On the right hand were two houses which considerably 
confined the entrance to the Church; immediately in 
front was a building called the Fish Market, taken 
down on His Majesty coming to this borough in the 
year 1 / 89 j on the left hand, by Buckingham steps, 
were some miserable, loathsome Almshouses; and at 
the entrance of Old Town-street stood a Conduit and 
new Shambles, all of which, for the greater comfort 
and convenience of the inhabitants and persons 
resorting to the town have, with great liberality and 
'Public spirit on the part of the Mayor and Commonalty 
been removed, and the present new Market erected. 



































st. Andrew’s church. 


533 


To commemorate these improvements this tablet was set 
up 4th of June, 1813.” Other improvements followed 
these, and the row of low, unsightly houses, forming 
the continuation of Bedford-street, by the churchyard, 
were removed. Latterly the thoroughfare has been 
again widened; the graveyard, which was an un¬ 
sightly and morbid mound, in the very centre of the 
town, has been, to some extent, levelled, and planted 
with shrubs, the high wall taken away, and a 
new one of granite, with chastely ornamental railings 
and carved gateposts, substituted. The superfluous 
ground, too, around the Church tower, has been 
removed to its original level; the four corners of 
the tower made good; and a fine opening from 
Bedford-street effected. By these improvements the 
tower has been restored to its original lofty propor¬ 
tions, and thrown open to view from almost every 
direction. By the time a second edition of our work 
is called for, we trust we may have to add that even 
the mound—much as it has been improved of 
late—on the north side of the Church has been 
entirely swept away, and lowered to the level of 
the street, so as to open out the body as well as 
the tower, to the view of passers by. 




CHAPTER XI. 


CHARLES CHURCH AND ITS MONUMENTS—ST. ANDREW^ 

CHAPEL-CHARLES CHAPEL- ST. TETER’s CHURCH, 

ELDAD-TRINITY CHURCH-CHRIST CHURCH-ST. JOHN 

THE EVANGELIST CHURCH-ST. JAMES’S CHURCH- 

EMMANUEL CHURCH-ST. SAVIOUR’S CHURCH-CITADEL 

CHAPEL AND ITS MONUMENTS-PORTLAND CHAPEL- 

NONCONFORMITY IN PLYMOUTH —VARIOUS DISSENTING 

BODIES. 

Charles Church. —As has before been stated, Ply¬ 
mouth was, until the reign of Charles I. comprised 
in one sole parish, that of St. Andrew. In 1634, 
the Corporation having regard to the increase of the 
town and the want of church accommodation, took 
steps for the division of the borough into two parishes, 
and for that purpose presented a petition to the King, 
praying him to give his consent thereto. In 1640, 
“an Act for the confirmation of Ilis Majesty’s letters 
patent to the town of Plymouth, and for dividing the 
parishes and building a new church there,” was passed. 
By this Act which, with the petition praying for it, 
has already been given on pages 172 to 181, the 
boundaries of the parish were fixed, and all the 
necessary arrangements were made, and it was stipu¬ 
lated that “the new church to he built shall be called 















CHARLES CHURCH. 


535 


Charles Church , and the advowson to belong to the 
Mayor and Commonalty of the town.” Shortly after 
this the memorable Siege of Plymouth, one of the 
stirring events of the civil wars, took place, and, as 
a natural consequence, the building had to be sus¬ 
pended until more peaceful times. In 1645 the work 
was re-commenced, and in 1657 it was completed, 
“ though long in building, and some disturbance by 
a paltry pretended churchwarden, etc., yett by God’s 
goodness carried on, we hope to His glory.” In 
1707 the completion of the tower, which until that 
time would appear to have been only twenty feet 

in height, was commenced, and was, with the wooden 

* 

spire, completed the next year. In 1709 a peal of 
six bells was presented to the church by Joseph 
Jory, Esq., who also, in 1719, gave to it a clock 
and chimes. In 1735 considerable alterations were 
made in the church, and in 1759 a meeting of the 
parishioners was held “ to consider a method of 
plaistering the church by subscription.” In 1766 
the wooden spire was taken down and replaced by 
one of stone, “the ball and vane being put up” 
on the 20th October. In 1815 a faculty was obtained 
for the erection of two galleries, and in 1828-9 the 
church was repaired, galleries were fixed, and a new 
pulpit and screen erected by Mr. Ball, the architect. 
In 1864 the church was restored, altered in some 
respects, and entirely renovated. At this time new 
porches were erected in place of the old external 
stair-entrances, new windows were added, a new 
reredos and altar rails put up, and the interior 
refitted, at a considerable outlay. 


536 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH 


Charles Church, as it now exists, consists of a nave 
and chancel, with north and south aisles, and a tower 
and spire at its west end. It is perhaps the best 
existing example of a gothic building of so late a 



period, and some of its features and details are re¬ 
markably good. The east window is an elegant 
example of geometric tracery. The roof, which is 
“barrel-shaped,” is divided into square compartments 
by longitudinal and transverse ribs of wood, with 
carved bosses at the intersections. The side aisles 
are each divided from the nave by a series of three 
arches, rising from clustered columns, and there are 
galleries on the north and south sides and at the 
west end; the tall pulpit, with spiral staircase, stands 
in the centre. The altar screen, or rcredos, is an 
arcade of nine arches, supported on marble pillars 
with foliated capitals. The tout is a wretched foliated 
excrescence, totally unworthy of any church. 






















CHARLES CHURCH. 


537 


Many of the windows are tilled with modern stained 
glass, of good character. The east window is of 
five lights, and has its head filled with elaborate 
geometric tracery. The lights and general portions 
of the window are beautifully diapered; in the centre 
of the rose in the head is our Saviour, and in the 
surrounding circles are twelve adoring angels; beneath 
this, at the head of the centre light, is the Agnus Dei. 
The window on the south side of the chancel is of 
three lights, and is filled with stained glass “ to the 
memory of John Moore, Esq., J.P.; born A.D. 1780, 
died A.D. 18G1; By his children;” and that on the 
north, of a similar character is “Ad Gloriam Dei, et 
in Mem - : Herbert Fillis, ob. x. Aug. MDCCCLXII.” 
The windows in the aisles are filled with diapering 
in stained glass, and some of them bear the inscrip¬ 
tions—“ H. A. Greaves, vicar; W. B. Cuming, 
P. J. Marshall, wardens, 1868.” 

The oldest memorials are to be found among the 
slabs on the floor, which, much to the shame of this 
parish, as well as that of St. Andrew’s, are fast being 
worn away. Among these are memorials to Pasco 
IIoveil, “of this Towne, Merchant,” 1674, and his wife, 
Ann, 1659, with arms; Nicholas Curie, Merchant, 
1679, and his wife, Elizabeth, “daughter of Captain 
John White, of this Towne, Merchant,” 1671, with 
the arms, on a chevron, between three fleurs-de-lis, 
three cinquefoils, impaling, a chevron between three 
goat’s heads erased, crest, a hedgehog, passant; and 
another—“Here lyeth the Body of Mary, the wife of 

Bichard.who departed this life the 5th 

day of December, Anno Dom 1678. 




538 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


“ Under this couert doth her Body lie, 

Who while she lived made it her worke to die, 

With Christ her life was hid, by Christ againe 
She shall be liais’d & ever with him Reigne. 

Lament not then her death who lives in Blisse, 

The losse is only ours, the Gaine is Hers.” 

There are also other slabs to John Whitely, 1GG5; 
Amos Doidge, 'of Plymouth, Merchant, 1737, and 
others of his family; and others. 

Among the monumental tablets on the walls are 
the following :— 

A tablet, with cherub’s heads at the sides, skulls at 
the bottom, and drapery, etc., to the memory of 
Peter Westlake, 1715. At the top are the arms of 
Westlake, argent , on a fesse, sable , between two 
chevrons, gules , three escallop shells, or; impaling 
sable , a fesse between six escallop shells, or. Another, 
to the memory of Anthony and William Durston, 
16GG, surmounted by shields of arms. 

“ In memory of Mr James Richardson many years one of this Corporation 
who died the 7th day of April 1772, aged 83.” 

“ Sacred to the memory of John Cooban Esq. w T ho was Mayor of the Borough 
in 1789 and 1790 and who died July 20th 1794 aged 75 years” and to other 
members of his family. At the top are the arms of Cooban ; on a bend sinister, 
within a bordure engrailed, bezanty, three griffins passant; crest, a demi griffin. 

A large tablet, by I. B. Yeale, 1774, with arms and 
other devices, to John Gennys, Estp, and Christiana, 
his wife, daughter of Nicholas Docton, Esq. At the 
bottom are the arms of Gennys impaling Docton. 

A small tablet, with folds of linen, and with an 
urn at the top— 

“In memory of Elizabeth the second Daughter of the second Sir John 
Rogers Bart, and Relict of Rear-Admiral Charles Fanshawe. She died 27th 
August 1797 aged 88 years and is buried in the vault beneath.” 

“To the memory of George Wolfe, Esquire, Captain in the Royal Navy, and 
Commander of the most Noble Order of the Bath. Died January 18th 1826 aged 
45. By his affectionate and afflicted wife and daughter.” 

A large tablet, with pillars and entablature, with 
“ death’s-head ” and hour glass at bottom, and the 




CHARLES CHURCH. 


539 


inscription in an oval, with carved foliated frame— 

“ To the memory of Mr William Rowe, of this Towne, Merchant: a great 
Benefactor to the Poore, who died ye 27 day of December 1690. Also Frances his 
wife who died the 18 of December 1688.” At the bottom of the inscription a 
death’s-head and “ Memento mori.” 

An oval tablet, with foliated frame, supported on 
angel’s heads, etc., with the inscription :—• 

Moses 

Georgi Vincent de Batens 
in North hill prse optimse spei 
juvenis 

Conrubiensi hujus Nominis surpe 
Oriundi Hie imfra Recondita est 
Nec annos Exegit Octodecun August! 

23 die Anno MDCLXIII 
Mathias Vincent Frater hujus 
fraterrimus Mnemosynen 
Hanc non minus amoris 
sui Quam Moeroris 
posuit February XI 
* Die Anno 

MDCLXXXIIII. 

A tablet, with a small trophy at the top, and foliage, 
etc.— 

“ Descendo ducente Deo. 

Here rest ye Ashes of 
Kane Willm. Horneck Esq. 

One of His Majesty’s Engineers in Ordinary, 
who died the 18th of Decbr 1752 aged 26 years. 

By his Death at once his afflicted Wife lost an affectionate and faithful Husband, 
his Children a tender and careful Parent, his acquaintance a hearty Friend, 
the Government an ingenious and useful Servant, 
the Commonwealth a worthy Member, 
and the World an honest Man. 

Reader, contemplate this, and fear to place 
The least Dependance on the Mortal Race ; 

Not Strength the Young, nor Counsel saves the Wise, 

The brave are Vanquished—even the good Man Dies. 

Hence learn to fix thy faith on God alone, \ 

Trust in His suff’ring Son (for both are one, 

None love the Father who reject the Son), ) 

Then may thy Hopes extend beyond the grave, 

’Till God shall fail to Love, or Christ to Save.” 

A gothic tablet, with reflected arch, crocheted and 
finialed— 

“Sacred to the Memory of the Rev Sir Cecil Augustus Bisshopp Bart M.A. 
Patron of this living, who for two years faithfully and zealously preached the pure 
word of God in this Church. He was born the 6th of June 1821, and died at Malta 
on-the 18th of January 1849, in the 28th year of his age, beloved and respected by 





540 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


all who knew him. Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord for they rest from 
their labours and their works do follow them. This monument was erected by his 
sorrowing family as a small token of the sense of their deep loss.” At the bottom 
are the crest and motto of Sir Cecil. 

A tablet, by F. A. Lege, of London— 

“Sacred to the memory of James Carne D.D. five years Vicar of this Parish, 
who died August 14tli 1832, aged 38 years ; and of Charlotte Carne, his widow, who 
died August 18th, 1832, aged 40 years. In him devotedness to his sacred calling was 
happily united with meekness of wisdom, and he sought the eternal interests of his 
flock with the prudence affection and watchfulness of the Christian pastor. He 
preached faithfully the great doctrines of the gospel of Christ and the Divine 
blessing rested upon his labours. In all his designs and benevolence his beloved 
wife was his most zealous and affectionate helpmate, and they were both sustained 
by looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith. During the awful 
pestilence which spread mourning throughout the land, they were taken within four 
days of each other, from this scene of their usefulness to the rest that remaineth for 
the people of God. This memorial of respect and attachment is erected by the 
voluntary contributions of many grateful parishioners and sorrowing friends.” 

Above this inscription is a group representing the 
Doctor lying dead on a pallet, and his widow mourn¬ 
ing over him. Above these are two urns, over which 
is thrown a mantle. At the bottom are the arms, 
crest, and motto of Carne. 

A tablet, surmounted by an Obelisk, on which are 
the arms of Bedford, argent , three lion’s paws (?), 
sable ; impaling the arms of his wife. 

“ To the memory of the Rev John Bedford M. A. 25 years Vicar of this Church 
who died 20th of April 1784 aged 47 years, and of Lucretia his wife who died the 
11th August 1764 aged 55 years. The grateful affection of their children hath 
erected this marble.” 

A gothic tablet, with an admirable medallion profile 
portrait of Mr. Courtney at the bottom— 

“In memory of the Revd. Septimus Courtney A.M. late vicar of this Church 
and twenty two years a Minister of the Gospel in this parish, who died on the 7tli of 
March, 1843, aged 63 years. Regarding the Sacred Scriptures under the teaching of 
the Holy Ghost as the only source of truth, he made the Glory of Christ and his 
redemption, the great subjects of his Ministry and while he laboured diligently in 
the public preaching of the Gospel, he exemplified in his life the doctrine which he 
taught. ‘ I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men, for 
I have not shunned to declare unto you the whole counsel of God.’ Acts XX. 26 27. 

This Monument is erected by his Parishioners and Congregation.’’ 

A very fine tablet, of large size, by F. A. Lege, of 
London, erected in 1829, and inscribed— 

“ A public tribute of affection and respect to the Memory of the Revd. Robert 
Hawker D.D., six years Curate, and forty-three years Vicar, of this parish who 
died the 6th day of April 1827 aged 74 years. ” 





CHARLES CHURCH. 


541 


At the top is a fine life-sized draped bust of the 
learned divine, with drapery, books, inkstand, chalice, 
rolls of paper, etc. At the bottom are the arms of 
Hawker; a hawk statant on a stand; crest, a hawk’s 
head erased; motto, “ Sincere et constanter.” 

Two small, plain tablets, the one a— 

“ Memorial to bring to remembrance Psalms 38 and 70. In memory of her 
beloved and affectionate Husband Thomas Hodson, Mary Glanville Hodson has 
invested the sum of two hundred and fifty pounds stock three per cent, annuities, 
in the names of Trustees, the annual Dividends whereof to be paid into the hands 
of the Vicar of this parish for the time being and to be by him given away in Bread 
to the poor thereof, on the twelfth day of December next and on the like day in 
each succeeding year for ever. March 10th 1829.” 

And the other of the same date which is similar in 
every way and headed in like manner shows that the 
same lady 

“ In order to perpetuate the lively remembrance of her beloved Father Robert 
Hawker amongst the Poor of the Parish in whose welfare he was ever deeply 
interested ” has likewise invested £250 the dividend of which is to be given away 
in Bread by the Vicar on the 13th of April for ever.” 

A particularly interesting tablet, surmounted by an 
urn, is inscribed— 

“Sacred to the memory of a beloved husband Admiral Sir Israel Pellew 
K.C.B. who died 19th July 1832 aged 73 This simple memorial of faithful affection 
is erected by his sorrowing widow who finds consolation only in the blessed 
assurance that * them that sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.’ Also to the 
memory of Dame Mary Helen Pellew widow of Sir Israel Pellew K C.B. who died 
the 2nd day of Novr. 1844 aged 77 years. Also of her neice Catherine McMorrine 
who died at Plymouth June 17th 1855 aged 81 years.” 

At the bottom are the arms, argent , a chevron, gules , 
on a chief of the same, three mascles, or; at the base 
a wreath of laurel, vert. The motto “Heo Adjuvante” 
over the crest, a ship, the Hutton, wrecked beneath 
the fort of the Citadel, all proper; and “ Fortuna 
sequatur” beneath the shield. 

Another is inscribed— 

“ To the beloved Memory of Elizabeth wife of Sir J. H. Seymour, Bart., M.A., 
Rector of Northchurch, Herts, and eldest daughter of Thomas Culme, of Tothill, 
Rector of Northlewe and Perpetual Curate of Plympton St. Mary in this County. 

She Died March 6th 1841. As a record of her rare and excellent qualities, her 
purity of heart, firm faith, and humble Christian hope, this tablet is inscribed by 
her attached and mindful husband. Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall 
see God.” 





542 


HISTORY OP PLYMOUTH. 


An oval tablet, with a draped urn, and the arms and 
crest of Downing, is inscribed— 

“ To the memory of a beloved Husband, John Wall Downing (late a Lieut, in 
the 67th Regt. of Foot), who died shortly after his return from the West Indies, on 
the 26th of July, 1799 aged 26 years.” 

An imposing monument, with sculptured figure of a 
seated semi-nude angel, resting on a pedestal, with 
urn, and holding a wreath of flowers in one hand— 

“To the memory of Henry Sabine Browne, of Portland Place, London, late 
Captain of Her Majesty’s 85th Light Infantry, who departed this life on the 24th 
of February, 1843, aged 34 years. Also in memory of Alice Sabine, his infant 
daughter, buried in Montreal, Canada, where she died on the 22nd of December 
1841, aged one year ; this monument is erected by the Wife ! and Mother !” 

“Benzonica sculp Milano.” 

Beneath is another tablet— 

“To the memory of Compton Sabine; son of the above, who is buried in 
Corfu : where he died on the 2nd March, 1849, in the 7th year of his age. Also 
Isabel Harrt. Ann Fearon, widow of the above, and 2nd daughter of Admiral Sir 
J. J. Gordon Bremer K.C.B., K.C. H., who is buried in London, where she died on 
the 13th April 1866. This inscription is added by their daughter.” 

There are also two elegant gothic tablets, exactly 
alike, one of which is inscribed— 

“ Sacred to the memory of George Edward Roby Esq late Lieut-Coll of the 
Royal Marines. He served his country with honour and distinction for fifty years 
and departed this life Jany. 7th 1836. Aged 72 years. Also to Ann his wife 
daughter of James Norman Esq., Captn. Royal Navy, and Mother of Commodore 
Sir Gordon Bremer K.C.B , K.C.H., of Compton in this Parish. She lived greatly 
beloved and esteemed and died on the 9th day of April 1848 aged 85 years.” 

And the other— 

“ Sacred to the memory of Harriet Bremer, the beloved wife of Com¬ 
modore Sir Gordon Bremer K.C.B., K C.H., of Compton in this parish. Pious 
benevolent, and excellent in all the duties of this life she was called hence March 
1st 1846 aged 60 years. Also Edward Gordon Bremer Esqr. Commander in the 
Royal Navy, son of the above, who died April 7th 1847 aged 26 years. Also in 
memory of Rear Admiral Sir Gordon Bremer K.C.B., K.C.H., who died 14th Feby. 

1850 aged 63.” 

There are also other memorials to John Nichols, 
1790, and Elizabeth, his wife, 1794; to Captain 
William Helling Bennett, E. I. Cods Service, 1823, 
and Louisa, his wife, 1819 ; to Philip Edward Lyne, 
Esq., 1846; to Elizabeth Lean Culme, 1845; to 
George Winne, 1793, Sarah, his wife, 1807, and 
various members of their family, with the arms of 







CHARLES CHURCH. 


543 


Winne, sable , three eagles displayed in fesse, or, and 
the crest, an eagle displayed or; to Peter Symons, 
merchant, 1809, and others of the family, with an urn 
at the top and at the bottom the arms of Symons, per 
fesse sable and argent , a pale counter changed, three 
trefoils, vert ; to William Sison, Esq., of Woodside, 
Plymouth, 1831; to members of the Lowgay family; 
to John Luscombe, O.L., 1864, and others of the 
family; to Thomas Yates, of London, 1830; to Ann 
Morshead, wife of Capt. Hankisson, 1766; to Joseph 
Moore, shipbuilder, of this town, 1829, who was for 
25 years churchwarden of this parish, and his wife, 
1822 ; to Alderman William Moore, 1867, and others 
of the family, with the crest of Moore; u Sacred to 
the memory of Edward Moore, Esq., M.D., E.L.S., 
etc., magistrate of this borough, who died 17th July, 
1858,” with the crest of the family, a Moor Hen ; 
to John Hawker, of Plymouth, merchant, and a 
magistrate for the county of Devon, 1839; to George 
Coryndon, Esq., 1856 ; and Sarah, his wife, 1867 ; 
to Thomas Hodson, Esq., 1820; to Samuel Codd, 
Esq., of Horley House, 1835, with crest; to Dr. 
Thomas Stewart, 1829, and to Andrew Tracey, Esq., 
1826, and Sarah, his wife, 1838; to James Moore, 
Esq., Mayor of Plymouth in 1848 ; a very elegant 
gothic tablet to Yice-Admiral Bichard Arthur, 1854, 
Elizabeth Fortescue, his wife, 1853, Catherine Eliza¬ 
beth Caroline Henn-Gennys, their daughter, wife of 
Commander Henn-Gennys, 1851, and Eichard William 
Arthur, their son, 1832; to Samuel Brent, 1788, and 
Henrietta, his wife, 1784, and to Samuel, infant 
son of Samuel Brent, 1747 ; to Post-Captain James 


544 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


Hawker, 1786, Dorothy, his widow, 1816, Francis 
Hawker, 1818, Mary Frances Hawker, 1834, and 
Mary Frances Whine, daughter of Sir Edmund 
Keynton Williams, 1820, and her sisters; and to 
others. 

In the gallery, at the west end, are some hatch¬ 
ments with helmets, and in the bellchamber is the 
following metrical version of bell-ringing laws, which, 
it will be seen, vary in some measure from those at 
St. Andrew’s, given on a preceding page:— 

Let awful silence first proclaimed be, 

And praise unto the Holy Trinity, 

Then Honour give unto our Gracious King, 

So with a blessing, Raise this Noble Ring. 

Hark how the chirping Treble sings most clear, 

And cov’ring Tom comes rowling in the rear. 

Now up an end, at stay, come lets agree 
What Laws are best to keep Sobriety. 

Who swears or curs’th or in an hasty mood 
Quarrells or strikes, although he draws no blood ; 

Or wears his Hat, or Spurs, or turns a Bell 
Or by unskilful handling mars a peal; 

Shall forfeit Sixpence for each Single crime— 

’Twill make him causious ’gainst another time. 

Or any should our Parson disrespect 
Or Wardens orders any time neglect, 

Let such ’till they relent be in disgrace 
Nor dare to enter such a sacred place- 
Now round lets go and when weve done let’s sing 
God bless our Holy Church, God save the King. 

Amen. 

In the churchyard, which is extremely crowded 
with gravestones, are many interesting memorials, 
among which are records of members of the families 
of Kitto, Prout, and other Plymouth worthies. 

The land for the church and churchyard were 
acquired from William Warren, of Plymouth, Vintner, 
and Judith, his Avife, Avho by indenture made 21 
August, 1664, between himself and the Mayor and 
Commonalty conweyed this land on which had been 


CHARLES CHURCH. 


545 


“lately made, erected and built, a decent and beautiful 
fabricke or structure now commonly called or known 
by the name of Charles Church,” “not yet con¬ 
secrated,” “ out of his true and heartie love and zeal 
to God his worshippe and service, and in performance 
of his former good intentions promises and declarations 
that so laudable and pious work may be the better and 
more duly accomplished, and the said structure or 
church and churchyard and with their appertenances 
legally consecrated.” By this indenture the Mayor 
and Commonalty “ made, ordained, constituted, and in 
their place putt their well beloved in Christ, Samuel 
Eastlake and Thomas Payne, of Plymouth aforesaid, 
gentlemen, their true and lawful attorneys jointly and 
severally to receive” possession of the same from 
William Warren or his attorneys. Possession was 
delivered up the same day by Mr. Warren, the 
memorandum on the deed being signed by the Eev. 
Francis Porter, John Harris, Junr., George Botton, 
Joseph Warren, Samuel Eastlake, and Thomas Payne. 

The other churches in Plymouth being of modern 
erection, have no particular history attached to them. 
They are as follows:— 

St. Andrew’s Chapel, Lockyer-street, built in 
1823, at a cost of £5,000, from the designs of Mr. 
Eoulston. It is an uninteresting granite building, 
capable of accommodating upwards of 1,000 people, 
and has an altar-piece painted by Ball. 

Charles Chapel, Tavistock-place, built in 1828 
for the Eev. Septimus Courtney (and frequently 

s 


546 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


called “Mr. Courtney’s Chapel ”), from the designs 
of Mr. Ball, at a cost of about £4,000. 

St. Peter’s, Eldad, formerly known as Eldad 
Chapel, Wyndham-place, was commenced building by 
subscription in 1828, as a free chapel for the Rev. J. 
Hawker (who seceded from the church,) and was 
at first called “ Mr. Hawker’s Chapel.” After Mr. 
Hawker’s death the chapel was licensed, and in 1850 
was consecrated as St. Peter’s. It is a plain, square 
building, without ornament, except in the chancel, 
which is divided from the body by a carved screen. 
The altar-piece is somewhat rich, with a central cross, 
and the evangelists on either side. At the altar are 
tall candlesticks, and on the sides of the chancel are 
stalls, etc. Over the vestry door is a painting of the 
Virgin and child. Adjoining are the Mission House 
and St. Peter’s Industrial Home; and close by is the 
establishment of the Sisters of Mercy, founded by 
Miss Sellon. This establishment—the oldest existing 
sisterhood of the Church of England — has been 
established about thirty years. In 1850 the founda¬ 
tion stone of what is known as ‘the Abbey,’ was laid, 
and it is now the head of many similar establishments 
in various places. Schools and a House of Refuge are 
attached. 

Holy Trinity Church, Southside-street, founded 
mainly through the exertions of the Rev. John 
Hatchard, was consecrated in 1843 as a chapel of 
ease to St. Andrew’s, and made a new parish by order 
of the Queen in Council in August, 1851. The popu¬ 
lation (census 1871), 4,886. The church—a neat 



CHURCHES OF PLYMOUTH. 


547 


Doric building—holds 1,200, 600 sittings being free 
and unappropriated. The National Schools are some 
of the largest in the diocese. There is a fine organ 
by Dicker, of Exeter, containing 26 stops. 

St. Saviour’s Church, Lambhay-Hill, was built 
entirely by private subscriptions, on a site given by 
Her Majesty as a chapel of ease to Holy Trinity, 
and was consecrated 24th August, 1870. Owing to 
the difficulty in collecting the necessary funds no 
architect was employed except in laying the foundation, 
but the whole was designed and carried out by the 
vicar of Holy Trinity, the Eev. F. Barnes. The 
church is of the early English style; the pillars and 
arches are of white and red brick, and have a pleasing 
effect. No attempt has been made at ornamentation. 
It accommodates 380 persons, 280 being free and 
unappropriated, and the remainder let at a very low 
rate. 

Christ Church, Eton-place, Oxford-street, was 
erected from the designs of Mr. Wightwick in 1845, 
in the perpendicular style of gothic architecture. 

St. John the Evangelist, Sutton-on-Plym, Jubilee- 
street, erected from the designs of Mr. B. Ferrey in 
1854-5, is one of the prettiest of the churches of 
Plymouth. The altar-piece is of good design. 

St. James, Citadel-road, erected from the designs of 
Mr. St. Aubyn in 1861, will accommodate about 800 
persons. 

Emmanuel Church, Compton Gifford, a gothic 
building, consecrated in 1870, was erected from the 
designs of Mr. Eeid, at a cost of about £3,000. 



548 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


The Citadel Chapel is situated in the Citadel, 
and is intended for the use of the Garrison. The 
original chapel is coeval with the Citadel itself, dating 
about 1668. It consisted, as is apparent on the origi¬ 
nal plan of the citadel, in the Eoyal Engineers’ office 
Devonport, of a nave 59ft. long by 25ft. in width. 
It is capable of accommodating about 100 persons. 
The walls, considering the small size of the building, 
are very massive, being about 2ft. 9in. in thickness 
doubtless as a matter of safeguard. In 1845 the 
building was enlarged by throwing out the two tran¬ 
septs and the erection of three galleries. By this 
means, the chapel is now capable of accommodating 
about 450 persons. The east window is filled with 
stained glass representing the crucifixion, by Lavers 
and Bond, which was put up in 1868 in memory of 
former worshippers in the church. The altar-plate 
was presented by Louis Dufour Esq., who also, at his 
own cost, erected the statue of His Majesty George 
the Second on the Citadel green. The font was 
presented by General the Hon. Sir Henry Murray, 
K.C.B., to whose memory a tablet is placed in the 
chapel. It is said that the citadel chapel was the 
last building belonging to the Established Church in 
which mass was celebrated; the occasion being the 
bringing here of the body of some distinguished 
foreigner, when requiem mass was said. 

The following monumental inscriptions* occur in 
this chapel:— 


* For these inscriptions I am indebted to the Chaplain, the Rev. W. Sykes. 


THE CITADEL CHAPEL. 


549 


“ Sacred to the memory of Lieut-Colonel Malcolm Macregor, 5th Fusiliers, who 
departed this life on the 4th January, 1847. Aged 67 years. ‘ For if we believe 
that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus, will God 
bring with him.’ I Thess., 4th Chap., 14th verse.” 

“ Sacred to the memory of Colonel Alexander Brown, Royal Engineers, Obt. 
6th Jul: MDCCCLIII. iEr: LXIII. His Remains lie in the Plymouth Cemetery. 
More than the above was forbidden by this estimable man and excellent Officer. 
His loss has been deeply felt by his Family and by his Corps.” 

“Sacred to the memory of Jessy, wife of Colonel Calder, Commanding Royal 
Engineers, Western District, who died on the 13th of May, 1852. Aged 64 years. 

‘ The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away, blessed be the name of the Lord.’ 
Job, 1st. Chapter, 21st verse.” 

“Sacred to the memory of Major-General Patrick Doull Calder, Royal Engi¬ 
neers (of Aswanlee, N.B.,) who died in Guernsey, Septr. 1st, 1857, in the 70th year 
of his age. To the memory also of his Son, Somerville Me. Donald Calder, Captain 
Royal Artillery, who died March 25th, 1857, aged 35 years, at St. Nicholas Island, 
Plymouth. The mortal remains of Father and Son are deposited in the General 
Cemetery of these towns. ‘ There remaineth therefore, a rest to the people of 
God.’ Hebrews 4th, 9th.” 

“Sacred to the memory of William Cuthbert Elphinstone Holloway, C.B., 
Colonel, Commanding Royal Engineers, Western District, who departed this life 
in the Citadel, Plymouth, on the 4th of September, 1850. He served in the Penin¬ 
sular Campaigns of 1810, 1811, and 1812. Was wounded in the Trenches before 
Badaj oz and shot through the Body on the 26th March 1812 ; whilst storming the 
enemy’s works. Colonel Holloway was not only distinguished for his Military 
Services, but for his deep and unaffected Piety. His end was Peace. ‘Blessed are 
the Dead which die in the Lord.’ Revelations, 14th Chap., 13th verse.” 

“ Sacred to the memory of Alicia, Wife of Colonel Oldfield, of Oldfield Lawn, 
County of Sussex, K. H. Royal Engineers, A.D.C. to the Queen. Died 5th February, 
1848. Sincerely pious, without ostentation, her trust was in the Lord. ‘ With the 
Lord, there is mercy and with Him is plenteous redemption.’ Psalm 130., V. 7.” 

“ To the honored and beloved memory of General the Honble. Sir Henry 
Murray, K C.B. (fourth son of David, 2nd Earl of Mansfield,) who served in Naples, 
Sicily, & Calabria in 1808-7 accompanied the Expedition to Egypt in March 1807 ; 
and was present as an Aide-de-camp to the Honble. General Meade, at the attack 
on Alexandria, Siege and Storming of Rosetta, and on every other occasion when 
our troops were engaged. He served in Walcheren in 1809, at the landing including 
the Siege and Surrender of Flushing, until the Island was evacuated by the British 
Army. He went in Command of the 18th Hussars to the Peninsula, January 7th, 
1813 ; was present at the crossing of the Eslar, and was badly wounded on the knee 
by his horse falling with him on a pointed rock; after which he commanded the 
Regiment in support of the 10th Hussars at the action of Marales-de-Toro. He 
served also in the Campaign of 1815, including the Battle of Quatre Bras: com¬ 
manded the rear Regiment of the Column, on the retreat during the following day; 
and, at the Battle of Waterloo, he led the 18th Hussars in the brilliant charge of 
Sir Hussey Vivian’s Brigade at the conclusion of the action. He commanded the 
Western District from 1842 to 1852, and after a long and severe illness, borne with 
the most Christian Resignation and Fortitude, died on the 29th July, 1860, deeply 
lamented by his Family, and all those who had known his excellent qualities, f 

t General the Hon. Sir Henry Murray was the fourth son of the second Earl of 
Mansfield by the Hon. Louisa Cathcart, daughter of Earl Cathcart, and married the 
daughter of Gerard de Visme, Esq., of Wimbledon Lodge, where he died in 1860, 
after being sixty years in the service. He was buried at Wimbledon, where a 
tablet, recounting his actions as above, and stating that this tablet “ in the Garrison 
Chapel at Plymouth” was “erected by special permission” was put up by Lady 
Murray in 1862. 


550 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


“ Arthur Stormont Murray, aged 28 years, Son of Major-General the Honorable 
Henry Murray, and Captain in the Rifle Brigade, died a Soldier’s Death on the 30th 
of August, 1848, in consequence of wounds received the previous day, while leading 
an attack on the enemy’s position at Bloom Plaats, in the Colony of the Cape of 
Good Hope. A career which gave promise to his country of usefulness—to himself 
of glory, was thus cut short; but the memory of the good and brave perish not, and 
the fruit of a virtuous life shed early on earth corneth to perfection in Heaven. 

His parents mourning over their own bereavement, yet not rebellious against the 
Divine will, caused this Tablet to be erected.” 

Portland Chapel, in Portland-place, built in 1844, 
is a Free Evangelical Chapel, and, like most of the 
others we have enumerated, is devoid of architectural 
features. 

Nonconformists. —The history of nonconformity in 
Plymouth is one of extreme interest, and one to 
which alone a whole volume might advantageously 
be devoted. Dating back far beyond the time, 1662, 
when the Act of Uniformity was passed, it may well 
be imagined that that arbitrary Act would cause the 
ejection of many ministers in Plymouth. Thus we 
read that no less than seven ministers connected with 
that town were amongst those who were “persecuted 
for conscience sake.” These were George Hughes, 
Obadiah Hughes, Nicholas Sherwell, Thomas Martyn, 
Samuel Martyn, Nathan Jacob, and John Horseman. 
Suffering and persecution evidently made these men 
brethren, and, such of them as were actually at 
Plymouth seemed, with their followers, to hold their 
meetings, in common; and, after the Indulgence, 
and the later Act of Toleration, founded their res¬ 
pective chapels and conventicles. The various denomi¬ 
nations of Dissenters in Plymouth are the following .—■ 

General Baptist (Chapels in George-street and at 
Mutley). The foundation of this congregation has 



NONCONFORMISTS. 


55 ] 


been traced back to something like 250 years, but 
the earliest authentic records date only to 1648, in 
which year Abraham Cheare was baptized and joined 
the Baptist Church, of which, in the following year, 
he became pastor. Two years later a piece of ground 
was purchased in the Pig Market (Bedford-street) and 
a chapel founded, but Cheare was soon after twice seized 
and imprisoned at Exeter for three years. Haying 
obtained liberty to visit Plymouth, he was again 
seized and confined for a month in the Guildhall, from 
whence he was, in 1665, removed to St. Nicholas 
Island, under an order of perpetual banishment. 
Here he was confined along with Hughes, Martyn, 
and others, and here he died. After the death 
of Cheare the Baptist congregation was without a 
minister for the space of 19 years, when, in 1687, 
Bobert Browne was appointed, who, however, died 
soon afterwards, and a tomb to his memory will be 
seen in the George-street Chapel. He was succeeded* 
first by a Mr. Warner, and next by a Mr. Holdenby. 
The next ministers were Samuel Buttall, and, after 
some changes, Nathaniel Hodges, but a long course 
of change seemed to have set in, and it was not until 
1748, when Mr. Philip Gibbs became the pastor that 
a better time seemed to dawn upon the congregation. 
Through his exertions, in 1751 the chapel was 
taken down and a new one built. In 1781 a 
chapel was built at Hock, and the following year 
Mr. Isaiah Birt became co-pastor with Mr. Gibbs. 
In 1789 the congregation removed from the Pig 
Market to How-street, and in 1865 the old 


552 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


chapel was taken down. In 1790, Mr. William 
Winterbotkam became co-pastor with Mr. Gibbs (in 
room of Mr. Birt, who removed to Dock), and not 
long after was tried and imprisoned two years for 
“ seditious language” in two of his sermons. At 
the expiration of this term he returned to Plymouth. 
In 1800 the chapel in How-street was purchased, and 
in the same year Mr. Gibbs died, when Mr. Winter- 
botham became sole pastor until 1804, and was 
succeeded four years later by Mr. Eagsdale, and 
afterwards by Mr. Dyer and others. In 1821 Mr. 
Samuel Nicholson did duty, and in 1823 became sole 
pastor. In 1830 How-street chapel was altered and 
repaired, and in 1843 steps were taken for building 
a large chapel in George-street, which was opened in 
1845. In 1856 Mr. George Short was appointed 
co-pastor, and in the same year, (Mr. Nicholson dying 
in March,) became sole pastor till 1858. In 1860 
Mr. Page succeeded him; in 1864 schools, etc., 
were built; and in 1868, the foundation stone of the 
chapel on Mutley Plain, was laid. Mr. Page resign¬ 
ing in 1869, Mr. Eobert Lewis was appointed pastor. 

Congregationalists.— (Sherwell Chapel, Tavistock- 
road, &c.) The Congregational body in Plymouth origi- 
ated with the Nonconformist ejectment in 1662. In 
scarcely any other county in England was the effect 
of the Act of Uniformity so seriously felt as in 
Devonshire—no less than one hundred and thirty 
ministers being either ejected or silenced through its 
operation. In the immediate neighbourhood of Plymouth 
John Searle was ejected from the living of Plympton, 




NONCONFORMISTS. 


553 


and imprisoned; Mr. Pitts, from Plympton St. Mary; 
Robert Wyne, from Tamerton; Thomas Larkham, from 
Tavistock; John Quicke, a man of considerable learning 
from Brixton; Nathaniel Jacob, from Ugborongh; 
Christopher Jellinger, an able and voluminous writer, 
from Brent; and J ohn Ilickes, from Stoke Damerell, 
who, when asked in reference to his large family, what 
he would do for them if he did not conform, answered, 
u Should I have as many children as that hen has 
chickens I would not question but God would provide 
for them all. 57 

In* Plymouth, during the Commonwealth, the Rev. 
George Hughes was the Incumbent of St. Andrew’s 
Church, and the Rev. Mr. Porter, of Charles, then the 
New Church. During the incumbency of Mr. Hughes 
the services in both churches were conducted in the 
Presbyterian form, Mr. Porter having first disused 
the liturgual service; and Mr. Hughes during the 
morning service in St. Andrew’s, regularly expounded 
the scriptures to his congregation^ folio volume being 
still extant containing his exposition of the book of 
Genesis and of the first thirty-three chapters of Exodus, 
which abundantly indicates his learning and piety. 

Immediately after the Restoration, Mr. Porter con¬ 
formed and retained his living, but on the passing of 
the Act of Uniformity, five ministers in Plymouth, or 
in immediate connection with it, were ejected or silenced. 
Of these, Mr. Hughes, who had held his living for 
eighteen years, was the most prominent. A Fellow of 
Pembroke College, a good scholar and a sound theolo¬ 
gian, his influence was felt not only in Plymouth, but 


554 


HISTOPY OF PLYMOUTH. 


throughout the county, and on the king’s return, he 
was offered a bishopric if he would conform, but 
declining on principle to accept the offer, was compelled, 
on the passing of the Act of Uniformity, to relinquish 
his living; and being summoned with Mr. Martyn 
his assistant, his son Mr. Obadiah Hughes, Mr. Nicholas 
Sherwell, and others, to appear before the Earl of 
Bath, the then Governor of Plymouth, he was sent 
with Mr. Martyn, in charge of two files of musketeers 
to St. Nicholas’ Island, where he remained a close 
prisoner for nine months, until incurable dropsy with 
scurvy having ensued, he was at length permitted to 
retire to Kingsbridge, upon giving security in <£2,000 
not to reside within twenty miles of Plymouth. Mr. 
Hughes died at Kingsbridge in 1667, in the sixty-fourth 
year of his age, and a monument was erected by Mr. 
Crispin to his memory in the parish church, with a Latin 
inscription by John Howe, the celebrated Puritan 
Divine, who had married a daughter of Mr. Hughes— 
His son, Mr. Obadiah Hughes, ejected as a student 
from the University of Oxford, through tbe Act of 
Uniformity, on his return to Plymouth was impri¬ 
soned, but having obtained his release was ordained 
by Mr. Hickes and five other ministers, and for some 
time continued to exercise his ministry as best he 
could, in Plymouth and the neighbourhood, until his 
removal to London. Mr. Thomas Martyn, who had 
been educated at Oxford, and afterward became 
Lecturer at St. Andrew’s, having been silenced and 
imprisoned, on his release resumed his ministry as 
a Nonconformist in Plymouth. His son, Mr. Samuel 



NONCONFORMISTS. 


555 


Martyn, well known in the Town as an occasional 
preacher, was also silenced and afterwards imprisoned 
at Exeter, and only obtained his discharge on consenting 
“ to take the Sacrament according to the rites of the 
Church of England.” He died in 1692. 

Mr. Nicholas Sherwell, a graduate of Magdalen 
College, Oxford, was a native of Plymouth, and is 
described as having been “ a gentleman who lived on 
his own estate, some of the richest and ablest in 
Plymouth, being his relations.” He was imprisoned 
on the passing of the Act of Uniformity at the same 
time with Mr. Hughes and Mr. Martyn, and appears 
to have again suffered for his principles in 1665. 

It may probably be assumed that shortly after 1662, 
and immediately resulting from the ejectment, two 
congregations were constituted in Plymouth,—the 
Independents before the Commonwealth, having pro¬ 
bably associated with the Baptist Congregation, distinct 
reference being made to Meetings, which were held in 
“ The Green House,” in Green Street, and also 
at “The Old Marshalls” and Mr. Sherwell, whose 
opinions are believed to have been the same with 
those now held by the Congregational Body, was the 
minister of the one, and Mr. Martyn, and for a time 
Mr. Obadiah Hughes, of the other or Presbyterian 
Section. The Eegisters of Baptism kept by Mr. 
Sherwell extend from 1662 to 1692, that is to within 
four years of his death which occurred in 1696— 
and in 1708 or as some suppose, in 1705, the present 
Chapel in Batter-street, was built—the Government 
it is said contributing to its erection in order that 




5 50 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


after the Union between England and Scotland, (1707) 
there might he a place of religious worship tor the 
Scotch soldiers who were then quartered in Plymouth 
in exchange for English Regiments stationed in 
Scotland, and the chapel was used for this purpose at 
intervals until the recent erection of the Presbyterian 
place of worship at Eldad—so that as late as the 
Crimean War, when the Highlanders then stationed 
in Plymouth left for Balaklava, the minister of Batter- 
street Chapel, as their Chaplain, preceded the Regi¬ 
ment to the place of embarkation. 

In 1708, Mr. Enty was the pastor of this con¬ 
gregation, and distinguished himself by his orthodoxy, 
and the part he took in the Arian Controversy, which 
afterwards assumed such importance in the West of 
England. 

In the other church, of which, Mr. Martyn 
and Mr. Obadiah Hughes are supposed to have been 
the ministers, either conjointly or in succession, it 
appears from an inscription on the Communion plate 
that in 1705, Mr. Nicholas Harding was the pastor. 
His opinions were orthodox, and he is reported to 
have had an influental congregation of more than seven 
hundred persons. On his death in 1744 Mr. Moore, 
who had been for some years assistant minister, 
became the sole pastor; but gradually adopting Arian 
sentiments and ultimately lapsing into Unitarianism, 
the great body of the people withdrew from his minis¬ 
try, and united with the church in Batter-street; 
the congregation that remained constituting the 
Unitarian Body in Plymouth, which still subsists and 


NONCONFORMISTS. 


557 


continues to worship in the Chapel in Treville-street. 

In 1760, on the death of Mr. John Moore, the 
then minister of Batter-Street Chapel, the trustees 
nominated Mr. John Hanmer, as his successor, but 
being strongly inclined to Arianism his appointment 
was objected to by the congregation, and on an appeal 
to the Court of Queen’s Bench their right of election 
was affirmed, and Mr. Christopher Mends whom they 
had selected in 1761 as their minister, was formally 
established in the pastorate in 1762. On his death in 
1799 he was succeeded by his son Mr. Herbert 
Mends, who died in 1819 and whose name is still 
remembered in Plymouth with much respect and 
affection. 

In the year 1845—Mr. T. C. Hine being at the 
time the minister of the Batter-street congrega¬ 
tion—it was thought by many, and particularly by 
Mr. Hine, that owing to the altered state of the 
population a removal to another part of the town, 
would be desirable, and the erection of anew chapel 
in Courtenay-street now known as Union Chapel, was 
accordingly begun, the building being completed in 
1848; but a considerable section of the people did not 
fully concur in the change and continued to worship 
in the Chapel in Batter-street of which Mr. W. 
Whittley is the present pastor. In connexion with 
this place of worship large and commodious School¬ 
rooms have been erected and during Mr. Whittley’s 
pastorate the chapel, which affords accommodation 
for upwards of seven hundred persons, has, at a 
considerable cost, been almost rebuilt. 


558 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


Union Chapel, of which, for some years after its 
erection Mr. T. C. Hine was the minister, presents an 
effective front elevation designed by Mr. Wight wick, 
and has 750 sittings. During the pastorate of Mr. C. B. 
Symes, who has recently left for an important ministe¬ 
rial appointment in South Australia, School-rooms, 
immediately connected with the chapel, were built 
by the congregation at a cost of <£1800. 

But independently of Batter-street and Union 
chapels, which are in immediate succession to the 
churches of the ejectment, with the growth of the popu¬ 
lation, there was a further accession to the Indepen¬ 
dent body in Plymouth during the last century. Con¬ 
sequent on the revival of religion under Whitfield, a 
large congregation had been gathered in Devonport 
of which Mr. Andrew Kinsman, was the minister 
and a chapel erected for its accommodation. In a 
M.S. letter from Mr. Kinsman to Mr. W. Fawcett, 
dated the 19th December, 1767, he writes :— 

‘ ! This last summer providence pointed out the way for an addition of ground 
which for the sum of £8 per annum we possess ; and the Artificers in the King’s 
Yard of every business built another addition to the meeting, of 85ft. square and 
three galleries. This they undertook to do gratis. So soon as the bell rung, and 
they came off from working for an earthly King, they came with fresh ardour, to 
work and build for the King of Kings. Those that were only labourers or smiths, 
did such work as they were able. They had a few lines which they used to repeat 
when carrying out the rubbish &c., 

“ Gilder and Carver I am none. 

But I can carry lime and stone. ” 

I don’t preach to less than 14 or 1500 every sabbath afternoon. At Plymouth 
my auditors are large, but as there are several meeting houses with which several 
are connected, the increase is not so remarkable. I suppose our numbers are about 
180.” 

This movement resulted in the erection of a chapel 
in Briton Side, known at first as “ The Tabernacle,” 
but afterwards, as “ The Old Tabernacle,” of which 


NONCONFORMISTS 


559 


Mr. H. Wheeler is the minister, but in 1797, 
a portion of the church and congregation were 
desirous of opening another place of worship and 
“ The New Tabernacle ” in Norley-street, now known 
as “ Norley Chapel,” was built and afterwards en¬ 
larged, so as to afford room for about 800 persons 
—good school-rooms were added during the pastorate 
of the late Dr. George Smith and subsequently a branch 
chapel opened in Mount-street. Under the ministry of 
Mr. Charles Wilson, owing to the increase of the 
congregation, which rendered enlargement or removal 
necessary, it was determined by the church in Norley 
chapel to erect a new place of worship in the 



Tavistock-road. The foundation-stone of the new 
building was laid in 1862 by the late Mr. David 

















































560 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


Derry, and the erection completed from designs by 
Messrs. Pauli and Ayliffe, of Manchester, in 1864, 
for 1250 persons. The school-rooms adjoining, which 
are large and handsome, and afford accommodation 
for 800 children, were built in 1867-8; and the cost 
of the entire buildings with the organ, presented by 
Mr. Charles Fox, a member of the congregation, 
amounted to £13,500. 

After an interval of two years Nor ley Chapel, which, 
as recently restored, is a very commodious place of 
worship, was re-opened, Mr. E. B. Hickman being the 
present minister. The Congregationalists have there¬ 
fore in Plymouth five places of worship, with their 
school-rooms, beside the branch chapel in Mount-street. 

The Western College at Mannamead, near Plymouth 
is an institution designed for the training of young 
men intended for the ministry in connection with the 
Congregational body. In the early part of the last 
century the extension of Arianism within the Esta¬ 
blished church and amongst dissenters, especially 
in the West of England, excited much anxiety, and 
in 1762 the Congregational Fund Board in London, 
established at Ottery in Devon, an institution for the 
education of ministerial students. Subsequently under 
the Eev. James Booker, at Bridport, the Bev. Thomas 
Beader, at Taunton, the Bev. James Small, at Axmin- 
ster, and the Bev. Dr. Payne, at Exeter, the work was 
continued, but in 1845, this college under the presi¬ 
dency of Dr. Payne and the Bev. Samuel Newth was, 
removed to Plymouth. Dr. Payne on his death was 
succeeded by the Bev. Dr. Alliott; the present Theo- 


NONCONFORMISTS. 


561 


logical Professor being the Bev. John M. Charlton, 
M.A., with the Bey. F. E. Anthony, M.A., as Professor 
of Classics and Mathematics. In 1861, the present 
building, which is intended for the reception of nineteen 
students, besides any who may be non-resident, was 
opened, and has for many years past been very efficiently 
conducted. The College is maintained at a cost of 
about <£1200 a year, partly with income derived from 
settled property, but mainly by donations and annual 
subscriptions contributed by members of the Congre¬ 
gational body. This Institution is open to lay students 
of approved character on the payment of moderate fees 
and is affiliated with the London University, and, as 
the nearest Congregational Institute is at Bristol, 
the Western College cannot but be regarded as of 
great value by the Congregational body in the West 
cf England. 

Unitarians. —(Norley-street.) This body claims to 
have for its founder in Plymouth, both the Bev. George 
Hughes, who, as has already been stated, was ejected 
from the ministry of St. Andrew’s; and Mr. Nicholas 
Sherwell, of whom also much has just been written, 
and whose name appears in the Begistry book as having 
officiated both at baptisms and marriages from 1662. 
Entries in the same book likewise show that baptisms 
were also performed by the Bev. Thomas Martyn, and 
the other ejected ministers. It is supposed that the 
old chapel was erected soon after 1689, as Nathaniel 
Harding commenced his ministry in 1690 ; the earliest 
trust deed is dated in 1708, at which time the chapel 
was sold by Nicholas Jenkins to Mark Batt, Joseph 



562 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


Wilcocks, Nathaniel Northcott, and Joseph Fuge, as 
Trustees. Of Nathaniel Harding a memory exists on 
the Communion plate of the chapel, which hears the 
inscription:— u Bought by and for the use of that church 
in Plymouth of which Nathaniel Harding is Pastor , 
1705.” 

He was succeeded by Mr. Henry Moore, in 1743, 
and the next minister was Mr. J. Hanmer. In 1763, 
Mr. J ohnEeynell joined Mr. Hanmer, and ultimately suc¬ 
ceeded him. After several changes, Mr. Israel Worsley 
became minister in 1813, and in 1832 was succeeded 
by Mr. W. J. Odgers, who leaving in 1853, was suc¬ 
ceeded by Mr. Henry Knott, who in turn was succeeded 
in 1866, by the present minister, Mr. W. J. Frekleton. 
In 1832, the old chapel was taken down, and the 
present much enlarged one, erected on its site. In 
connection with this chapel is a “ Fellowship Fund,” 
commenced in 1817, for assisting in building places of 
worship, etc.; a “ Chapel Library,” founded in 1825 ; 
a “ Tract Society”; a large Sunday School, to which 
are attached a Library and a Savings’ Bank; and a 
“Visiting and Working Society.” 

Society of Friends, Bilbury Street.— It appears 
from the records of the Society of Friends that their 
distinguishing tenets were first promulgated in Ply¬ 
mouth on the arrival there of John Audland and 
Thomas Ary about the middle of the year 1654. 
The former boldly preached the new doctrines in St. 
Andrew’s Church, while the latter held forth in the 
Baptist meeting, in spite of the abuse of the ministers 
and congregations. Notwithstanding, or probably in 



NONCONFORMISTS. 563 

consequence of, tlie strong opposition they encoun¬ 
tered, their brief visit of four or five days duration 
produced a considerable effect on the minds of the 
townsfolk; and when, a few months later, they were 
followed by Thomas Salthouse, of Lancashire, and 
Miles Halhead, of Westmoreland, matters were found 
to be ripe for the establishment of regular meetings 
for worship in accordance with their views. Salthouse 
and Halhead experienced much persecution here as 
elsewhere. It is related that they u had several 
peaceable meetings at friends’ houses; ministering to 
the people what they had seen, heard, and handled of 
the Word -of Life, and their testimony reached to the 
consciences of many who flocked to hear them, inso¬ 
much that a meeting, appointed on the next first day 
(Sunday) at one John Harris’s, near the town (his 
house not being large enough to contain the people), 
was held in his garden, when the said Miles and 
Thomas did publish the free grace of God, which 
brings salvation unto all, inviting people to obey the 
same, and provoking them to love and good works, 
labouring in great simplicity and plainness for the 
advancement of the kingdom of Christ, to the general 
approbation of the hearers.” At the instance of one 
George Brooks, chaplain of the Nightingale frigate, 
who attended this meeting, the two preachers were 
committed to the High Gaol at Exeter under a 
warrant signed by the Mayor, John Page, on a charge 
of disturbing the public peace; and on their trial, 
after six weeks incarceration, were committed for a 
further period of seven months for refusing the oath 
of abjuration. In 1655, George Fox, the founder of 


564 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


the Society, came to Plymouth in the course of his 
first visit to the west of England, in company with 
his staunch supporter, Edward Pyot, of Bristol, an 
ex-captain in the army. Fox relates in his Journal 
that, u after having refreshed ourselves at an inn, we 
went to Eobert Cary’s house, where we had a very 
precious meeting. At this meeting was one Elizabeth 
Trelawney, daughter to a baronet; she being some¬ 
what thick of hearing came close up to me, and 
clapped her ear very nigh me while I spoke, and she 
was convinced. After the meeting came in some 
jangling Baptists, but the Lord’s power came over 
them, and Elizabeth Trelawney gave testimony thereto. 
A fine meeting was settled there in the Lord’s power, 
which hath continued ever since ; where many faithful 
friends have been convinced.” 

The early records of this body abound in cases of 
persecution, by fine and imprisonment, and it appears 
that in 1660 the High Gaol and Bridewell of Exeter 
contained “all the men-inhabitants of Plymouth of 
that persuasion.” Amongst these records which have 
been preserved in unbroken series from 1669 to this 
day, the well known Plymouth names of Burnell, 
Collier, Cotton, Cookworthy, Eox and Hingston, are 
of very frequent occurrence. Until the removal of 
legal restrictions to the erection of Conventicles the 
members assembled for worship in private houses, and 
they rented a burial place near the Hoe, at 20s. a year. 
In excavating for the foundations of the modern Hoe 
Park Terrace, numerous remains of bodies were 
brought to light, and as these were believed to occupy 
the site of this ancient place of sepulture, they were 


NONCONFORMISTS. 


505 


collected by Mr. Thomas Luscoinbe, a member of the 
Society, and re-interred in the present burial ground 
behind the Meeting House in Bilbury Street. The 
site of this Meeting House was purchased in 1703, 
but the present structure was substituted at a later 
period, for the building formerly used. By a deed of 
13th May, 1703, John Beare the younger, of Bears- 
combe [near Kingsbridge], Alice, his wife, only 
daughter and heir of Ambrose Hind, late of East 
Allington, Devon, deceased, and George Beare, of 
Bearscombe, gent, in consideration of four score and 
ten pounds and two broad pieces of gold conveyed to 
Henry Ceane, of Plymouth, (a Quaker) all those 
messuages, tenements and curtilage within the Borough 
of Plymouth, near a street called Bilbury Bridge, 
bounded on the north by a lane leading to Hampton 
Shute and Charles church; and on the south by 
the aforesaid street called Bilbury Bridge or Street. 
On the 18th December, 1704, H. Ceane conveyed the 
premises to Trustees “ to and for the only use and 
behoof of the people called Quakers, for a Meeting 
House and Burial Ground.” This trust deed, we are 
informed by Mr. Bobert Dymond, to whom we are 
indebted for the above particulars, has ever since 
been renewed from time to time, as the number of 
Trustees became reduced by death. The present 
Meeting House was erected in 1804, at a cost of 
about £1,200. A few years ago an adult school of 
about 200 scholars of both sexes, was established in 
the Meeting House, and in 1870 a large school room 
was erected in Charles street. 


506 HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 

Wesleyan Methodists.— Methodism appears to have 
been introduced into Plymouth about 1744, when 
Whitfield first visited the town, intending to embark 
hence for America. In 1752, Mr. Kinsman, who 
became minister of the tabernacle in Priton Side, to 
the erection of which he had largely contributed, 
built the first dissenting chapel at Dock. Wesley first 
visited Plymouth in 1746, and at this time and till 
much later, preachings were held in various parts of 
the town. In 1779, a chapel in Lower Street, Dock, 
was commenced, and in 1792 the foundation stone of 
Wesley Chapel, in Buckwell Street (then called Mud 
Lane) was laid, the fittings from Lower Street Chapel 
being removed to it. In 1815, Ebenezer Chapel was 
commenced building, and shortly afterwards Wesley 
Chapel was closed, and at one time used by the General 
Baptists, under the name of Behoboth Chapel, hut 
again reverted to its original persuasion. In 1864, 
the foundation stone of the King Street Chapel 
(chapels at Stonehouse having in the meantime been 
erected) was laid by Mr. John Allen. It is a fine 
and spacious building, capable of accommodating a 
large number of persons, and has schools attached. 
Besides the Wesleyans, the Primitive Methodists, the 
Beform Methodists, the Bible Christians, the United 
Methodist Free Church Society, and others have places 
of worship. 

Boman Catholic, Cecil Street.— The history of 
this body in Plymouth is but short. The first priest 
since the Beformation who is known to have preached 
in Plymouth was the Bev. Edward Williams, who, 
about a century ago, occasionaly visited the town, 


NONCONFORMISTS. 


576 


but the first resident incumbent of the laborious 
mission of Plymouth was the Bev. Thomas Flynn, a 
native of Ireland, a u man of zeal and herculean 
strength.” This gentleman preached in a room over 
a stable at the rear of the George Inn, at Dock,—the 
only place of worship then established by the Catholics. 
In 1803, the Bev. Jean Louis Guilbert was appointed 
to succeed Mr. Flynn, and in the same year Mr. 
Bowland Conyers, who then died, provided funds to 
maintain a priest in Plymouth. Mr. Guilbert, who 
was a French refugee, in 1763 undertook the construc¬ 
tion of a public chapel in lieu of the room over the 
stable at. Dock. Having obtained a central situation 
near the Marine Hospital, at Stonehouse, the founda¬ 
tion stone was laid on the 28th May, 1806, for St. 
Mary’s Chapel, with an adjoining presbetere and 
school, and on 20th December, 1807, mass was 
celebrated in that sacred edifice. Mr. Guilbert 
returned to France in 1815, and died at Epinal in 
1822. In 1834 the Bev. Henry Biley was appointed, 
and during his ministry, which lasted till 1848, when 
he resigned through ill health, and died in the following 
year, considerably enlarged and improved the chapel 
and the rest of the premises. In 1851 Plymouth was 
erected into a Bo man Catholic Bishopric, the first 
prelate being the Bev. Dr. Errington.—St. Mary’s 
Chapel being raised to the rank of a cathedral, and 
from 1853, having a chapter of eight canons attached 
to it. In 1856 (June 28) the foundation stone of the 
present cathedral was laid by the Bev. Dr. Vaughan, 
the new Bishop of the Boman Catholic diocese. 
Adjoining to, and connected with the cathedral, on one 



568 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


side is the residence of the Bishop, and on the other 
a Nunnery of the Sisters of Notre Dame, and extensive 
schools. The cathedral, which has a lofty tower and 
spire, is a cruciform structure in the Early English 
style of architecture, erected from the designs of 
Messrs. Hansom; its length is 155 feet, and width 
across nave and transepts 80 feet. The old premises 
in Stonehouse are now used as an establishment of 
Little Sisters of the Poor. Another Boman Catholic 
church is in contemplation on the east side of the 
town. 

The Jews’ Synagogue, Catherine Street.— The 
first congregation of Jews is said to have been com¬ 
menced in Broad Hoe Lane about the middle of last 
century. The present synagogue was built in 1764. 

Plymouth Brethren. —This sect appears to have 
originated about the year 1829, and two years later 
Plymouth becoming its centre, it took the name of 
u Plymouth Brethren.” The first meetings were held in 
Baleigh Street, and next in Ebrington Street. 

Catholic-Apostolic, or Irvingites, meet in Princess 
Street; the Universalists in Henry Street; and the 
Free Evangelicals have a large Chapel in Portland 
Place ; the Presbyterian Meeting is near the Catholic 
Cathedral. It is a large, substantial, and imposing 
looking building. The Protestant Evangelical 
Church is in Compton Street. 





CHAPTER XII. 


THE GUILDHALL-CORPORATION PLATE-MACES-SEALS, 

ETC.-NEW MUNICIPAL BUILDINGS-CORPORATE CERE¬ 
MONIES-PISHING FEAST-EXCHANGE—CUSTOM HOUSE- 

POST OFFICE-THEATRE-ASSEMBLY ROOMS-LIBRARY- 

MECHANICS’ INSTITUTION-ATHENAEUM-VOLUNTEERS- 

♦ 

WATER WORKS-HOSPITAL OF POOR’S PORTION-ALMS 

HOUSES-HOSPITAL OF ORPHANS’ AID-CEMETERY- 

HOSPITALS AND OTHER CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS ETC. 

The Guildhall of the Borough of Plymouth at the 
present time in use, hut whose days for municipal 
honours are numbered, occupies a triangular plot of 
ground between Whimple and High Streets. It was 
erected in 1800 from the designs of a Mr. Eveleigh, 
upon the site of the former building, of which an 
engraving and some particulars will be found on 
page 140. The building is most inconvenient, and 
unworthy, in every respect, of the important town to 
which it belongs. The front consists of a central 
tower surmounted by an open bell-cote. In the base 
of this tower is the entrance doorway, above which is 
the town arms and a window surmounted by a 
quatrefoil light. Above this, in the upper part of the 
tower, is a projecting illuminated clock. To the left 
and right of the entrance in the basement story, are 















570 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


the police offices and cells, and above these are, to the 
left, two gothic windows which give light to the great 
hall, and to the right is another similar window. The 
building contains besides the great hall, a council 
chamber, chamberlain’s room, town clerk’s office, police 
library, police office, lock-np, witnesses rooms, magis¬ 
trate’s rooms, and other offices. 

In the great hall several full length life-size portraits, 
and some few other interesting features, are pre¬ 
served. They are the following:—Over the Mayor’s 
seat at the west end, is the portrait, bare-headed and 
in robes, of George IV., when Prince Eegent, by 
Hoppner. To the Mayor’s right hand are portraits 
of George II. in robes, “presented by George 
Pridham, Esq., Mayor, 1845”; and of Queen Charlotte, 
seated, “presented by James Skardon, Esq., Mayor, 
1867.” To the Mayor’s left are those of Queen 
Caroline, wife of George II., “ presented by George 
Pridham, Mayor, 1845and of George III., seated, 
in robes, “ presented by James Skardon, Esq., 
November, 1867.” In the body of the hall, to the 
Mayor’s right, is a similar portrait of William TV., 
standing, in naval uniform, “presented by John 
Purnell, Esq., Mayor, 1860and to his left is that 
of H.E.H. the Prince Consort, in his robes of state, 
which was purchased by the Corporation at a cost 
of 100 guineas. In the windows of the hall are 
some fragments of stained glass, probably from a 
former and much finer guildhall. In the east window 
are the arms, with supporters, etc., of James I., 
quarterly, 1 and 4, France and England, quartered; 
2, Scotland; 3, Ireland; and the motto “Beati 



THE GUIDLHALL. 


571 


Pacificiin the same window are portions of shields 
of arms bearing, gules , a chevron, argent , between three 
cinquefoils, or; and or , a chevron, vert, between 
three goat’s heads, erased, sable. In one of the other 
windows are the Prince of Wales’ feathers, with the 
motto u Ich Dien,” within a garter, with the nsnal 
motto; and in the other the arms of Plymouth, 
argent , a saltire, vert , between four castles, sable , 
with mantling, etc. In the hall are also preserved 
the colours of the old volunteers. 

In the Council Chamber, besides other paintings 
and engravings, are also some Eoyal portraits, and a 
most curious and highly valuable portrait of the great 
admiral, Sir Francis Drake. The painting, which is 
on panel, is a half-length portrait of Sir Franeis, in 
robes, and with a ruff about his neck. In front of the 
head are the arms, crest, mantling, etc., of Drake 
and there are also the words “ JEtatis sme 53, An., 
1594.” Beneath, is the following verse :— 

“ Sir Drake, whom well the world’s end knows, 

Which thon didst compasse rounde, 

And whom both poles of heaven ons saw, 

Which North and South do bound : 

The stars above will make thee known, 

If men here silent were, 

The Sunn himself cannot forgett, 

His fellow Traveller. 

Great Drake, whose shippe about the world’s wide waste, 

In three years did a golden girdle cast, 

Who with fresh streams refresht this Towne that first, 

Though kist with waters yet did pine with thirst, 

Who both a Pilote, and a Magistrate, 

Steered in his turne the shippe of Plymouth’s state ; 

This little table shewes his face whose worth, 

The World’s wide table hardly can sett forth.” 

In the magistrate’s room is a half-length portrait 
of George I. in his robes, and in the chamberlain’s 
room are portraits of George W. Marshall, Mayor in 


572 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


1782, “presented by George Pridham,” and of Peter 
Burdwood, Common Councilman in the Corporation, 
painted by Solomon Hart, in 1824, presented by Mr. 
Skardon. There is also a remarkably curious painting 
of the old wooden Eddystone Lighthouse, which was 
destroyed in 1703, as well as several curious 
engravings. 

The corporation plate, and insignia of office of the 
Mayor, consists of three splendid silver-gilt maces ; 
two silver-gilt loving-cups, or chalices ; a gold chain 
with suspended medal; and a large silver snuff box 
on which are engraved the Plymouth arms with 
supporters, etc. 

The three maces are here engraved. The largest 
measures 4ft. 3in. in height, and weighs 10 Jibs.; the 
other two measure 4ft. in length, and weigh res¬ 
pectively 8Jibs. each. They are all, as will be 
seen by the engraving, of the same general form. 
Around the head of each are the following heraldic 
devices divided from each other by semi-figures and 
foliage; a rose and a thistle conjoined on one stem, 
surmounted by an open arched crown, between the 
letters A.E. fAnna ReginaJ ; a fleur-de-lis, crowned 
in a similar manner, also between the letters A.E. ; 
a portcullis, with the same crown and letters ; and a 
harp with the same. At the base of the large mace 
are, on one side, the Plymouth arms with supporters, 
etc., and on the other the arms of Jory; on the 
other two, the rose and thistle. Around it is the 
inscription u Ex dono Josephi Jory Armigeri Prcetori 
oppidi Plymovthiani et Successoribvs svis in Sempiternvm 
A° D l 1709.” One of the smaller ones, has on the 


CORPORATION PLATE. 


o7 


o 

O 


base, on one side the Plymouth arms and supporters, 
and on the other the date “1711,” with roses md 
thistles between ; and the other, the arms and a plain 
tablet alternating with the rose and thistle. 

The Loving Cups, or Chalices, are shown in our 
engraving. The large one has, in front, the arms of 
the Borough of Plymouth, and at the back those of 
Gayer, with crest and mantling. Around the inner 
rim is the inscription u The guift of iS r John Gayer , 
Alderman of London, An 0 Domini 1648.” The smaller 
one has no armorial insignia, but is of much more 
ornamental and artistic character than the other. It 
has four heads in high relief, and bears the following 
inscription :—“ The gift of Iolm Whit of London , 
Haberdasher , to the Mayor of Plymouth and his 
bretlieren for ever , to drinke crosse one to ye other at their 
Feastes or Meetings . Dated ye hth of June 1535.” 

The Mayor’s Gold Chain of Office, was purchased in 
1803. It is 16 feet 5 inches in length, and forms a 
four-fold chain. Attached to it is worn suspended a 
large gold medal, given by the Freemen of the Borough 
for that purpose. A copy of the inscription on this 
medal, which with the chain is represented on the 
cover of this volume, is given on page 391. The cost 
of the chain and a medal will be seen by the following 
bill which is preserved in the Guildhall:— 

Philip Langmead, Esq., London, 6th June, 1803. 

Bought of Thomas Barnard, Working-Goldsmith and 


Jeweller, Corner of Adam Street, Adelphi, Strand, £ s. d. 

A Standard Gold Mayor’s Chain 16 feet 5 inches long . 66 0 0 

A Standard Gold Medal to hang to do., Engraved with the Arms of 

Plymouth on one side and an inscription on the other* . 9 0 0 

A Morocco Case lined with Sattin for do., with a Lock and Key- 1 18 0 

Paid Insurance to Plymouth on £30 value . 0 12 6 


£77 10 6 

* This was probably a different medal from the one now worn, which is dated 1816. 







574 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


The Eobes of Office worn by the Mayor at the 
present time are a scarlet cloak trimmed with sable, 
and a cocked hat. Scarlet gowns were first worn by 
the Mayor and Aldermen in 1582. The halberdiers, 
mace bearers, crier, and other officers had also liveries 
about the same time. 

There are three ancient seals belonging to the 
borough. The largest of these, here engraved of its 
full size is very elaborate in design. 



The field is divided by a base-line from which rise 
three gothic niches with highly decorated canopies. 
Within the central, or principal niche, is a seated 
figure of St. Andrew, with nimbus, holding in his 
right hand a cross saltire (or St. Andrew’s cross) and 
in his left, a clasped book. In the niche on his right 
hand is an angel holding a shield bearing the cross of 























































SEALS OF THE BOROUGH. 


575 


St. George ; and in the other niche is a similar angel 
holding a shield hearing the arms of England 
(quarterly 1 and 4 France, 2 and 3 England); the 
whole of the ground work is filled in with gothic 
tracery. Beneath the base-line is a shield bearing the 
arms of the borough of Plymouth (a saltire, or St. 
Andrew’s cross, between four castles) supported on 
either side by a lion. The inscription is “the comen 

SELLE OE THE BOROUGH & COMENALTE OF Y E KYNGS 
TOWNE OF PLYMOTHE.” 


Another seal, which is particularly chaste and elegant 
in design, is here engraved of its full size. It is very 

sharply cut, of circular 
form, and bears the arms 
of the borough on a shield 
within the inner circle. 
The shield is surmounted 
by a crown of fleur-de- 

lis, and the space be- 

♦ 

tween the inner circle 
and shield is filled in 
with gothic tracery. 
The inscription is as 



follows 


u 


S. OFFICII MAIORATUS BURGI VILLE DE, 


.de Plymouth,” and it is somewhat remarkable 

that one portion of the inscription has, intentionally, 
and most probably originally, been defaced in the 
























576 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


matrix. The third of these seals, also here engraved 

of its full size, is of circular 

form, and simply hears the 
arms of the borough, on a 
plain shield, surmounted by 
the date, 1595. Another 
ancient seal, mentioned by 

Oliver, is described as bearing 
the device of a ship, and the inscription :—“ si gillum 

COMMITATIS SUTTON SUPER PLYMOUTHE.” 

Plymouth of late years seems to have had a decided 
penchant for altering and adding to, without any real 
authority, its armorial insignia. Thus, one circular 
seal bears a shield with the arms of the borough 
supported by two lions rampant; the crest, a sheaf 
composed of seven swords, spears, and battle axes, 
between two flags, dexter and sinister, each bearing 
the Union Jack, the whole issuing from a cannon’s 
mouth, and an assemblage of cannon balls, etc.; the 
motto, on a ribbon beneath the supporters, Turris 
fortissimo, est nomen Jehovce: while the present official 
seal (which by the way is one of those modern abomi¬ 
nations adopted by corporations and other official 
bodies, a stamp for paper, and not a “ seal ” in 
any sense of the word) differs materially from it. 
This seal is circular in form, 2J inches in diameter, 
and may be thus described. At the base of the field 
are waves of the sea, upon which is the hull of a ship, 
having a flag of the cross of St. George at its stern. 
Above the hull, on a shield, are the arms of the borough 
(a saltire between four castles) with two lions rampant 













BOROUGH SEALS. 


577 


guardant as supporters, behind each of which, their tails 
twining around them, stands an empty beacon. The 
crest (if so it may be called) is as follows: a beacon of 
fire in the centre, between six flags, three dexter and 
three sinister, each charged with the arms of the borough 
and typifying the six municipal wards into which the 
town is divided; the whole issuing out of a ducal 
coronet. Around the Beal in the inner circle is the 
motto u Turris fortissimo, est nomen Jehovcef with a 
lion passant guardant at the base. The outer circle 
bears the legend “ Common Seal of the Mayor, 
Aldermen, and Burgesses of the Borough of Plymouth, 

1835.” The 
general design 
of the insignia 
here described 
was made by 
Lieut.-Colonel 
Chas. Hamil¬ 
ton Smith, and 
will be pretty 
well understood by the accompanying official engraving 
of the arms. Among the other seals are a Mayor’s 
seal, 1\ inches by 1 inch, well executed, with the 
entire design here described, filling its whole surface, 
but without any lettering whatever; a circular seal 
J of an inch in diameter being simply a fantastically 
shaped shield with the arms of the borough; and a 
small oval seal, of much the same poor design. 

Many curious events have occurred in connection 
with the history of the Guildhall, but these have 

T 











578 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


already been detailed in the preceding part of this 
volume. 

An admirable site for the new Municipal buildings, 
has been gained by the purchase and demolition of 
the old Hospital of Poor’s Portion, the Hospital of 
Orphan’s Aid, and premises and lands adjoining, in 
Westwell, Basket, and Catherine-streets. The space 
thus thrown open comprises an area of about 250 
feet by 80 feet, and consists of the square of land 
behind Bedford-street, and bounded on three sides by 
Basket-street, West well-street, and Catherine-street, 
and on the other by the buildings in the rear of 
Princess-street. On the north side of this plot the 
municipal offices are erected, and on the south side are 
the new Guildhall, the law courts, the police offices, 
etc. On the east the fine old tower of St. Andrew’s 
church fitly fills up the space, while on the west 
the area is open to Westwell-street. 

The new buildings have been designed in some 
degree to harmonize with the tower of St. Andrew’s, 
the wings being treated in broad and simple masses, 
leading up to central features of appropriate rich¬ 
ness and dignity; the local materials, of which the 
exterior is chiefly constructed,—viz., granite and lime¬ 
stone,—rendering such treatment desirable. The large 
hall which is intended to seat 2,600 persons, occupies 
the centre of the facade on the south side, shown 
in the engravings, with the proposed law courts at 
the Westwell-street end, and the police-court and 
station-house at the eastern end. The great hall is 
entered immediately from the public square through a 
deeply-recessed central double doorway and side 


MUNICIPAL BUILDINGS. 


579 


porches, and has a nave 58ft. wide, with narrow 
aisles on either side, the extreme length being 146ft. 
The aisles open into the body of the hall, with two 
arcades of seven arches each, the pillars supporting 
which are of polished grey granite, 2ft. 9in. in dia¬ 
meter. The traceried windows of each clerestory follow 
the number of the arches below. There are seven 
separate doorways for ingress and egress. At the west 
end is an orchestra, in connection with which is a 
suite of ante-rooms, available for performers and 
others; and at the east end is a gallery for the public, 
to seat about 300. The hall has a semi-circular 
boarded roof. The internal dimensions of the police- 
court are 46ft. by 38ft., and adjoining are rooms for 
the magistrates, magistrates’ clerk, attorneys, and wit¬ 
nesses ; and in the rear, the station-house, police mus¬ 
ter-room, reading-room, &c. Each of the courts at the 
Westwell-street end is 49ft. long by 38ft. wide, and 
there are separate entrances and rooms for barristers, 
attorneys, and witnesses, with distinct accommodation 
for the public in galleries at the ends of the courts, 
approached by a stone staircase in an octagonal 
angle tower. An important feature of this pile of 
buildings is the tower at the south-west corner of 
the group, which will be nearly 200ft. high to the 
vane. The council-chamber and municipal offices 
occupy a portion of the northern side of the public 
square, a space at the Westwell-street end of this 
side having been reserved for future public uses. 
This municipal structure is for the most part two- 
storied, the council-chamber forming the central 
feature, and somewhat corresponding in detail with 


580 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


the great hall on the opposite side. The north block 
includes, besides council-chamber and other municipal 
offices, offices for the town clerk, chamberlain, and 
surveyor, and apartments for the school board, 
&c., with strong-rooms, store-rooms, and a large 
vaulted muniment room. Gothic, of the early French 
type, is the style which has been adopted, and the 
details are bold rather than elaborate. The plain 
surfaces are executed in Cornish granite and local 
limestone; the moulded and enriched portions being 
in Portland and Mansfield stone. 

On the apex of the gable of the Council Chamber 
is a colossal full-length statue of Sir Francis Drake, 
by Trevenen; and in other parts of the exterior are 
medallion heads of our beloved Queen Victoria, Sir 
Walter Ealeigh, and others. There are also some 
very rich and appropriate armorial decorations, cleverly 
executed by Mr. Harry Hems, of Exeter, which add 
greatly to the beauty of the structure. The shields 
on the octagonal tower at the Westwell-street end of 
the municipal buildings, twenty nine in number, are 
arranged in a series of panels beneath the upper 
windows; they bear besides the royal arms, those of 
several Devonshire worthies, and of neighbouring bo¬ 
roughs. Commencing on the cant nearest to Basket- 
street, and terminating with that immediately over the 
parapet to the main front of the building, the arms 
are arranged in the following order: Saltash; Exeter; 
Launceston; Plympton; Morice; Bogers; Devon- 
port; Earl St. German’s; Earl of Morley; Duke of 
Bedford; Earl of Mount Edgcumbe; Earl of Devon; 
Sir Walter Ealeigh; Trelawney; Hawkins; Strode; 


FREEDOM DAY. 


581 


Slanning; Diocese of Exeter; H.R.H. the Prince of 
Wales; ELM. Queen Victoria; H.R.H. the Duke of 
Edinburgh; the Borough of Plymouth; Hele; Oxen- 
ham; Drake; Harris; Woolcombe; and St. Aubyn. In 
the gable of the Crown Court facing the municipal 
offices is a large shield, five feet high, bearing the 
royal arms, surmounted by a crown, and on the corres¬ 
ponding gable of the police court is a similar shield, 
bearing the arms of the Prince of Wales; on the gable 
of the council chamber facing towards the great Hall 
are shields bearing the arms of England and of the 
Borough of Plymouth. The entire works are being 
carried out from the designs and under the direction 
of Messrs. Horman & Hine, architects, of Plymouth. 
Mr. J. Pethick, of Plymouth, is the contractor, and 
the contract amount is £32,475. 

There were formerly some curious customs con¬ 
nected with the corporation, to which reference may 
best be made in this place. One of these was 
Freedom Day” which is said to have been origi¬ 
nated in commemoration of the defeat of the invading 
Bretons, but its real use was the perambulating of 
the boundaries—“beating the bounds” — of the 
borough. On “Freedom Eve” it appears a glove 
used to be hung outside the Guildhall, and at 3 
o’clock that afternoon the “ Freedom Boys ” assembled 
for the purpose of “knocking down the glove set up 
over the Guildhall door.” Next day, “Freedom 
Day,” the town was in commotion through two 
parties of young men meeting, by mutual consent, 
and fighting a battle with clubs, sticks, and other 
weapons, generally in a field known by the name 


582 


HISTORY OR PLYMOUTH. 


of “ Freedom Field,” the prize being a barrel of 
beer, which is said to have been provided by the 
Mayor. The name of the one party was “Burton 
Boys,” ( or Breton Boys), being the residents from 
Martin’s Gate eastward; and the other “Old Town 
Boys,” the residents of the other parts of the town. 
In 1782 the fightingwas abolished “ through several 
serious injuries having been inflicted—indeed it was 
quite unsafe for people to walk the streets, and genteel 
people would be sure, if they did not bestow a moiety 
on every party, to be well ducked* from the kennel. 
One Mckey Glubb, a well known character in Ply¬ 
mouth, was famous among the Burton Boys, and there 
is, (and has been for a number of years,) a public-house 
called the Burton Boys, in Exeter-street, and on the 
sign Nickey is painted, carrying the beer among the 
rude rabble. After the year 1782, the 1 Freedom 
Boys’ were changed to the children belonging to 
the Eed, Blue, and Green Schools; to them it was a 
‘ liberty day,’ but was disgraced by a prevailing idea 
among them, that on this day they may rob with 
impunity all the fruit shops, and bakers’ shops; and 
after having over-run the town for some time, they 
leave it to visit the orchards on the eastern part of 
the borough. On this day too the old Mayor attended 
by the Sword Bearer, Serjeants-at-Mace, and as many 
of the most respectable of the inhabitants on horseback, 
as choose to ride, go round the boundaries of the borough, 
shewing them to the mayor elect. At two o’clock, 
they meet in Frankfort-street, proceed down George- 

* They always were provided with “ ducking horns," to lade up water from the street 
to throw over passers by. 



ELECTION OF MAYOR. 


583 


street to Millbay, across to Stonehouse-lane, up the 
road to No-Place, and to the Mill-bridge, and across 
it, and back to No-Place again;—thence to Mutley 
and come into town by Lipson turnpike, and go down 
by Whitecross-street, Briton-side, Tin-street, Yauxhall 
and Woolster streets, unto the new quay. There dis¬ 
mount, and walk in procession to the Lammy Point 
for the purpose of waiting to assist the Freedom Boy 
out of the boat, present him with a piece of coin, 
and give him a box on the ear, to remember the place 
and the occasion by. Then they go to the Barbican 
steps, and take the oldest boy out of the boat there 
with the like compliment. The boys after having 
met the mayor in or near freedom field, then go away 
for Prince Pock, or Catdown, and embark in boats for 
the lower parts of the town—latterly in only two 
boats; and in the Mayoralty of Mr. Lockyer, they 
rode around the hoe, after having been at the Lammy ; 
then they go to partake of a cold collation provided 
at the Guildhall.” 

Formerly the mayor was elected annually on St. 
Lambert’s day, September 17th, but since the passing 
of the Municipal Reform Act the election now takes 
place on the 9th November. On the two Sundays 
next before St. Lambert’s day notice used to be given in 
the churches and chapels of the borough, after the 
reading of the nicene creed, in the following form:— 
u The Right Worshipful the Mayor desires the 
Commonalty of this Borough to meet him at the Guild¬ 
hall thereof on.day, the 17th day of September 

next, at 10 o’clock in the forenoon, then and there 
to elect a Mayor of the said borough for the year 



584 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


ensuing.” On the 17th, the Mayor and Commonalty 
being assembled in the Guildhall at 10 o’clock, 
proceeded at 11 in full state, with robes, maces 
etc., preceded by a band of music and the town flag, 
to St. Andrew’s church, u where a sermon was preached 
by the Yicar on Brotherly Love, Duty of Magistrates, 
&c.—and to the corporation he particularly addresses 
himself. After the service being over, they return 
in full procession to the Guildhall, when the Mayor 
opens the business of the day, by observing the 
time being come for him to nominate a successor 
and retire from office; the Town Clerk or his Deputy 
reads the Bribery and Corruption Act, and then proceeds 
to call over a list of the Freemen of the Borough 
(one of the Serjeants being the Bepeater). Notice 
being taken of those freemen who have answered 
to their names, the old Mayor being President or 
Beturning Officer, still fills the chair—then one of 
the Freemen, (or the Mayor under the New Bye¬ 
laws), nominates one from their number, (indis¬ 
criminately)* to be Mayor for the year ensuing, 
which must be seconded and then polled by a show 
of hands, and if there is not a second nominated, the 
Mayor returns him duly elected, and he immediately 
takes his place at the right hand of the Mayor; 
but if two should be nominated, and their respective 
numbers (on polling) cannot be ascertained, then a 
stricter poll is taken, and the freemen sworn, two, 
three, or four at a time, in the same manner as 
choosing the representatives. The Mayor must be 
chosen before the meeting is dissolved;—many times 

* But the Charter says, he ought to be able to purchase Lands, Heriditaments, &c., <fcc., &c. 



ELECTION OF MAYOR. 


585 


it has been 12 o’clock at night before he has been 
chosen, which is the more strange, when it is known 
that there is an elegant and plentiful dinner provided 
for those concerned in voting, by the old Mayor. 
Then the Chartered business of the day, as choosing, 
nominating or appointing ” being over “they go again to 
church, for to pray, ( as sly rogues ) say,—that the 
dinner may be good! but that may be uppermost 
in their mind; but the custom was only to hear 
and sing the Psalm.” The election “being completed, 
and extraordinary discussions adjourned, two hampers 
are hoisted upon the table, one containing buns and 
tough cakes, (the latter for the Commonalty) and 
the other sherry wine to drink the health of their 
chief,” as Baron expresses it. The procession was 
then re-formed and again proceeded to St. Andrew’s 
church, where, as has been said, the 117th Psalm 
was sung, the offertory collected, and prayers and 
collect read. Leaving the church, the procession was 
re-formed and proceeded to perambulate the borough. 

“ First went the Old Governor of the Barbican, and 
the two town’s Corporals with White Pods; next 
the Constables, two and two, with their small four¬ 
square-headed maces, (in number 34,); then the South 
Devon Band, if in the place, or in the neighbourhood; 
the Standard Bearer (or sword bearer armed) with 
the silk flag bearing the town’s arms; the three 
town Sergeants with their maces and cloaks; then 
the Mayor and Mayor elect, and the other ten Aider- 
men, and the Justices and Eecorder, two and two in their 
scarlet robes, trimmed; the town Vicars and other 
Clergy in their gowns; the Common Council, in 



58G 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


number 24, two and two, in tlieir black silk gowns. 
The Town’s Clerk and Coroner joined the procession, 
and lastly such Freemen as chose; and gentlemen who 
did not belong to the Corporation brought up the 
rear.” In the early part of this century “the gowns 
and gownsmen disappeared. None of the Aldermen 
or Common Council were to be distinguished; the Con¬ 
stables went in form, followed by the band, and 
then the Sergeant-at-mace preceeded by the colours— 
and then the Mayor and Mayor elect, sometimes in 
gowns, and sometimes without them, as suited their 
caprice or whims, and the Freemen generally brought 
up the rear; the Constables with their long staffs 
looking like so many Dock-Yard warders.” 

The Mayoralty House was in Woolster-street. It 
is supposed to have been the residence of John Paige, 
better known by the name of “ Wealthy Paige,” con¬ 
cerning whom some curious old ballads are extant 
relating to his ill assorted marriage, his murder, the 
illicit loves of his wife and George Strangwidge, and 
their execution. The house was large and spacious. 
“The great room where the Mayor’s table was laid, 
being very large, was, during the building of the 
Guildhall, used as the Hall of Justice, and the rest 
fitted up as Prisons. The Mayor’s Feast was formerly 
held yearly on the same day as the Mayor was chosen. 
It was given by the old Mayor on his leaving office, 
to the Corporation, Freemen, and their friends. The 
feast, before the building of the Guildhall in 1800, 
was held at the Mayoralty House, but since then 
was held in the rooms belonging to it, until the 
passing of the Reform Act. The kitchens under the 


THE FISHING FEAST. 


587 


Guildhall were fitted with every convenience.” 

The Fishing Feast is the pleasantest and most 
agreeable relic of bygone times at the present day 
observed in Plymouth. Long, long, may the utilitarian 
spirit of modern times be from encroaching upon it ! 
The “fishing feast” commemorates the bringing of the 
supply of water into Plymouth by Sir Francis Drake, 
and it therefore has an historical significance peculiarly 
its own. It is held in this wise: on the appointed 
day the Mayor and Corporation of Plymouth, and 
invited guests, assemble at ten o’clock in the morning 
at the Peservoir, in the Tavistock Eoad, and from 
thence proceed in a number of carriages and pairs to 
the various other reservoirs, at each of which they 
alight and examine the works and all matters connected 
with them, and then the cortege proceeds—in all this 
headed by the Mayor in his carriage—across Bobo- 
rough Down to the Head Weir on Dartmoor, about 
fifteen miles from Plymouth. Here they alight, and 
having partaken of refreshment, assemble around the 
weir. The “ loving cups ” are then produced, and the 
Chairman of the Water Committee having filled the 
smaller one with water from the stream, hands it to the 
Mayor who then drinks “ To the pious memory of Sir 
Francis Drake,” the cup being handed to each person 
successively, and each drinking the same toast. This 
done, the larger cup is filled with wine, and the Mayor 
having drank “May the descendants of him who gave 
us Water never want Wine” passes the cup, and each 
of the assembly drinks from it to the same toast. 
Fish is then caught in the stream, and, later on in the 
day, a splendid dinner, cooked on the moor, and 




588 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


comprising u all the delicacies of the season” is served 
in a spacious tent, when toasts are drunk and the 
loving cups passed u cross ” in accordance with the 
“ guift ” down the table. Thus the whole day is plea- 
santly occupied and the memory of Sir Francis Drake, 
and the blessing of the water which he procured, are 
kept alive from year to year. 

The Exchange is in Woolster-street. Formerly it 
was on the New Quay, having been there built, evi¬ 
dently of timber, by John Lanyon, in 1673. An 
Exchange was also erected somewhat later in South- 
side-street. The present building was erected in 1813 
at a cost of about £7,000; but since that time the 
open yard has been covered in with a dome, and 
additional offices added. In the Exchange, the Cham¬ 
ber of Commerce, the Board of Trade Office, a News 
Boom, and the Local Marine Board are held. 

The Custom House is on the Parade, near Sutton 
Pool. It was erected in 1819-20, at a cost of about 
£8,000, by Mr. Laing, the architect of the Custom 
House at London. It contains, besides the Long Boom, 
collectors, comptrollers, surveyors, tide surveyors, 
landing waiters, searchers, and other offices. 

The Post Office. —This building was erected in 
1847-8 from the designs of Mr. Oswald Arthur, at a 
cost of about £3,000. The first running post between 
Exeter and Plymouth was established in 1635, and 
this, and occasionally a horse post, was the only means 
of getting letters to the town ; the time occupied was 
at one time nine or ten days in bringing a letter from 
London. The “ Fly Coach,” for passengers, which 
beat the post by several days, stopped its fifth night 



THE THEATRE. 


589 


at Exeter and, proceeding next morning to Axminster, 
a “ woman-barber then shaved the coach’’ or rather 
the whole of its passengers. In 1658 a stage coach 
set out on “ Mondays and Wednesdays to Ockington 
and Plymouth for 50s.” but about eight days was 
occupied on the the journey. About this time letters 
were despatched once a week to and from Plymouth. 
In 1784 Palmer, the great post improver, brought to 
bear his scheme for establishing Mail Coaches, the first 
being from London to Bath and Bristol, the journey 
to Bristol being accomplished in fifteen hours, and 
from this period a better state of things was brought 
about, and letters received u every morning, except 
Mondays, from London, between ten and eleven ; and 
go out at half-past four in the afternoon.” At this 
time (1792) it took two days for letters to travel from 
London. The Post Office was formerly in Bilbury- 
street. The present building is far too small for the 
requirements of the town, and it is much to be hoped 
that the authorities will replace it by a larger and 
more commodious erection, in which proper accommo¬ 
dation will be provided for the various branches of 
the service, and where the convenience of the public 
will be studied. 

The Theatre. As was the case in most corporate 
towns, plays and mysteries would at one time be per¬ 
formed in the Plymouth Guildhall, and occasionally 
in St. Andrew’s church. Here it would be where the 
following companies, to whom payments were made, 
performed in 1561-8:— 

Item to my L Bushoppe’s players ... 0 13 4 

Item to Mr Fortescues players ... 0 13 4 


590 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH 


Item to the Queen’s Players ... 

1 

0 

6 

Item given to Sir Parcyvall Harts 




Plaiers 

0 

6 

8 

Item to the Erell of Warwike ys pleers, 




the IX of June, for pleying 

0 

13 

4 

Item to the Queen’s Players ... 

1 

0 

0 

Item to the Erell of Worsetter’s pleers 

0 

13 

4 

Item paid to my Lord Hunger’s pleyers 

0 

13 

4 

Item paid to my Lord Hnnsdon’s Pleers 

0 

13 

-4 

_ • 

Item paid to Players in the Church 




uppon St. John is daye 

0 

6 

8 

Item paid to the Erie of Worcesters 




pleers ... ... ... ... 

0 

5 

0 

Item paid to Sir Harry Fortescue ys 




pleers ... ... ... ... 

0 

10 

0 


There appears at one time to have been a theatre 
in what is now called Hoe-Gate-street, but the one 
about which most is known, and which was the imme¬ 



diate predecessor of the present admirable building, 
was the “New Theatre Franckfort Gate” which took 


















































































































































































THE THEATRE. 


591 


\ 

the place of the one in Hoe-Gate-street. Of this 
highly interesting building we are fortunately enabled 
to give a representation from an old engraving. It is 
described as a very convenient, “neat and commodi¬ 
ous ” theatre. The building itself still exists opposite 
the Globe Hotel, but is now converted into business 
premises, being at the time we write, occupied by Mr. 
Eyre, as an Upholsterer’s shop. Some curious play 
bills, the original of which are in my own possession, 
are preserved. One of these of the year 1759 has 
already been printed on page 338; as an appropriate 
companion to that, the following copy of the play bill 
of the opening night of the present Theatre in 1813 
will be read with interest. 

“ The PUBLIC is most respectfully informed, that 
The New Theatre Eoyal, Plymouth, will open 

On MONDAY next, the 23d of August 1813 
with 

AN OCCASIONAL ADDRESS. 


After which, Shakspeare’s celebrated PLAY of 



As You 

Like It. 


Jaques. 

Orlando 

Adam. 

Banished Duke . 

Amiens. 

Oliver. 

Corin. 

Silvius. 

William 

. .. Mr. Mara. 

Le Beau . 

Duke Frederick 

Charles . 

First Lord. 

And Touchstone .. . 

Celia . 

Phoebe. 

Audrey . 

And Rosalind. 

Mr. Lambert. 

Mr. Edwards. 
Mr. Wheatley. 
Mr. Hayden. 

Mr. Bennett. 
Mrs. Bennett. 
Mrs. Andrews. 
Mrs. Windsor. 
Mrs. H. Hughes. 


To which will be added the FARCE of 



Catherine and Petruchio 


Petruchio .. .. 

Baptista .. 
Biondella .. 
Music Master .. 

Cook. 

Hortensio .. 
Taylor .. .. 

.. Mr. Sandford. 

.. Mr. Reymes. 

.. Mr. Edwards. 

.. Mr. Lambert. 

.. Mr. Hayden. 

.. Mr. Weeks. 

.. Mr. Barnes. 

Nathaniel 

Gregory . 

Philip . 

And Grumio. 

Curtis . 

Bianca . 

And Catherine .. .. 

Mr. Wheatley. 

Mr. Coombes. 

Mr. Libby. 

Mr. Bennett. 

Mrs. Wilde. 

Mrs. Andrews. 
Mrs. H. Hughes. 


BOXES As. PIT 2s. 6 d. GALLERY Is. 

Second Account to the Boxes 2s. 6d. To the Pit Is. 6d. But nothing under 

Full Price to the Gallery 


























592 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


The DOORS to be OPEN’D at SIX and to begin precisely at SEVEN O’CLOCK 
TICKETS to be had at the BOX LOBBY of the THEATRE 

K3T Ladies and Gentlemen are respectfully requested to send their Servants to keep 

Place at HALF-PAST FIVE O’CLOCK. 


SUBSCRIPTION TICKETS for the SEASON, Transferrable .£5 5s. 

NON TRANSFERRABLE . .£4 4s. 


%* ON TUESDAY EVENING, a PLAY and ENTERTAINMENT. 

Haydon, Cobley, and Co , Printers, No 75, Market Place, Plymouth.” 

The present Theatre, which with the Eoyal Hotel, 
and the Assembly Eooms forms one large and imposing 
block of buildings at the junction of Lockyer-street 
and George-street, was erected at the cost of the 
Corporation from the designs of Mr. Foulston. They 
were commenced in 1811 and completed in 1813 at a 
cost of about £60,000. The foundation stone bears 
this inscription:—Theatri et Hospitii impensis Maioris 
et Communitatis Burgi de Plymouth. Edmnndns 
Lockyer, M.D., Maior, fundamenta locavit 1811. 
Johanne Foulston, Architecta.” The Theatre which 
forms the south-end of the pile of buildings at the 
junction of George-street and Athenseum-street, with 
entrance in the grand central portico, is one of the 
most conveniently arranged, most chaste and elegant, 
and certainly one of the best conducted in the 
provinces—its lessee Mr. J. E. Newcombe, having at 
very considerable outlay improved its interior which, 
originally, was very circumscribed in its arrangements. 

The Assembly Eooms are entered from the same 
central portico and also from the Eoyal Hotel. The 
ball-room is 76 feet long and 40 feet in width and is 
richly decorated; and there are also in connection with 
it supper, tea, card, and ante rooms, with lavatories, and 
every convenient arrangement for the comfort of visitors. 

The Eoyal Hotel is entered by the portico in 
Lockyer-street and is an extremely substantial and 






ASSEMBLY ROOMS. 


593 


convenient establishment. The principal apartments 
comprising handsome coffee, dining, sitting, billiard, 
and smoking rooms, are on the ground floor; the other 
floors comprising suites of apartments, and sitting, bed, 
dressing, and bath rooms, etc. The area of ground 
occupied by the entire range of buildings—which are 
490 feet in length—is said to be 59,400 feet. 

The Rules of the Assembly Rooms, at the Fountain 
Tavern, Plymouth Dock, in 1792, are so curious and so 
well illustrate the state of society at Plymouth in those 
days, that they are worth transcribing. The season 
was from the first Monday after Michaelmas week, and 
continued on alternate Mondays for thirteen weeks. 
Rules to be observed, viz :— 

I. —Subscribers to pay Ten Shillings and Six-pence each for the Season. 

II. —Non-Subscribers Two Shillings and Sixpence each for Admission. 

III. —Gentlemen to pay One Shilling each for Tea. 

IV. —A Queen to be drawn for, among the married Ladies, (Subscribers,) who 
is to preside for one Night only, and to appoint a Successor. 

Y.—The Queen’s Determination, in any Dispute, to be final. 

YI.—The Queen to be assisted by two Stewards, who are to be chosen by her. 

YII.—The Queen and Stewards to chuse their own Partners. 

YIII.—Ladies who are Strangers, are neither to draw for Partners or Places. 

IX. —Ladies to be considered as Strangers only the first time of their Appear¬ 
ance for the Season. 

X. _No Lady to Dance before Tea who does not draw. 

XI. _Gentlemen who mean to Dance before Tea, to give their Names to one 

of the Stewards. 

XII. —Minuets to begin at Seven o’Clock precisely. 

XIII. —Two Country-Dances only before Tea. 

XIV. —After Tea the Ladies to draw for places only. 

XV. —No Dances to be called for after 12 o’clock. 

The rules at the same period observed “in the Long 
Room at Stonehouse, to which all genteel company 
never fail to resort both from Dock and Plymouth,” 
are equally curious. Assemblies were here “held in 
summer seasons, and on all Birth Nights and other 
Public Seasons.’’ 

I.—All Ladies and Gentlemen, that frequent this room are desired to subscribe. 

II —Every Thursday during the Summer Season there is a Concert and Assembly. 

T— 2 





594 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


Ill —The Concert to begin at Six o’clock in the Afternoon, and end at Eight 
o’clock. 

IV. —Dancing to begin at Eight and leave off precisely at Eleven o’Clock 

V. --The subscribers to pay one Shilling each on entering the Hoorn, and the 
Non-Subscribers to pay Three Shillings and Sixpence for which they are to have 
Coffee or Tea - 

VI. —No Tea or Coffee to be allowed for Entrance Money in the Room after Nine 
o’clock. 

VII. —If any Lady or Gentleman should omit paying their entrance, it is humbly 
hoped they will not take it amiss when called on for it. 

VIII. —Gentlemen on Public Days are d*sired not to wear Swords in the Room. 

IX. —The Proprietor begs that no Dogs may be suffered in the Room. 

The Plymouth a no Cottonian Public Library.— 
This important institution, which is one of the many 
buildings of which Plymouth may well be proud, is 
situated in Corn wall-street. It was founded in 1811 
in great measure through the exertions of Mr. George 
Eastlake, and the foundation stone of the building was 
laid in that year. The building was erected from the 



designs of Mr. Foulston; the front thrown back from 
the street. This front, of which, for the sake of 
keeping its design on record, we reproduce an inte¬ 
resting engraving, was taken down in 1851 when the 
building was considerably enlarged, brought forward 


























































































PLYMOUTH AND COTTONIAN LIBRARY. 


595 


to the street, and raised another story in height for 
the reception of the Cottonian Library. The Library 
is approached from a spacious entrance hall, from 
which access is also obtained to the new room, and to 
the staircase leading to the Cottonian Boom. The 
Library itself is a lofty quadrangular room, 33 feet 
square; at each angle is a massive hollow pier with 
pilasters, supporting an entablature and cornice from 
which spring elegant segmental arches. The whole 
is surmounted by a vaulted dome, in the centre of 
which rises a circular lantern, the roof of which is 
supported on fluted columns, and between these 
columns and the coupled pilasters a passage is left. 
Concealed in one of the piers is a spiral staircase, 
which gives access to the gallery that runs round all 
four sides of the room and divides it into two nearly 
equal heights. The collection of hooks is arranged on 
all sides of the room, both above and below the gallery. 
Communicating with the Library, is the Committee 
room, a spacious apartment with windows to the street 
which also is lined with books, as is also the Law 
Library over it, in which, in addition to other matters, 
the Halliwell Collection of MSS. presented to the 
Library through his friend Mr. Jewitt, the author of 
this work, by James Orchard Halliwell, F.B.S., is 
placed. This collection comprises MSS. on vellum 
and paper, consisting of very many curious original 
documents arranged in volumes under counties, some 
curious rubricated and other ecclesiastical MSS., orders 
of Parliament, original manuscripts and early transcripts 
of curious works, the original life of Hr. Forman, etc. 
The Cottonian Boom, erected for the reception of the 



596 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


gift by the late Mr. William Cotton, F.S.A., of Ivy- 
bridge, of a fine collection of books, prints, drawings, 
paintings, and works of A^*t and vertu, is a beautiful 
and extremely chaste apartment with an enriched coved 
ceiling from which rises an elegantly decorated lantern. 
Around the upper part of the walls of the room is a 
continuous frieze, selected from the Panathenaic frieze 
of the Elgin marbles, and especially cast at the British 
Museum for that purpose. The collection may in few 
words be said to comprise a remarkably fine series of 
prints, more than 5,000 in number; some original 
paintings by Sir Joshua Reynolds, and others ; an 
extensive and valuable collection of books relating to 
the fine arts; several rare and curious early books, 
and illuminated MSS.; a large number of original 
sketches by old masters and others; some bronzes and 
models; and many other highly interesting objects. 
The collection was, by deed, presented by Mr. Cotton, 
the proprietors of the library undertaking to provide 
a suitable room for its reception, and to support it for 
public use; and the whole of the arrangements were 
carried out, and the treasures arranged in the apartment 
by Mr. Llewellynn Jewitt. The Cottonian collection 
may be viewed on application to the Librarian. 

Plymouth having recently adopted the Public Libra¬ 
ries’ and Museums’ Act, is, at the time of publication, 
busying itself with the founding of a Free Library 
for the use of its inhabitants—a movement which must 
be productive of immense benefit to the town. 

The Mechanics’ Institute in Princess-square, was 
established in 1825 ; the old building (opened in 1827) 
was taken down and the present one erected in 1849 


ATTIEN7FXM. 


597 


from tlie designs of Messrs. Wightwick and Damant. 
It contains a large lecture kail, library, class-rooms, 
and other necessary apartments, and is calculated to 
be one of the most convenient and successful institu¬ 
tions of its kind. The publications of the Patents 
Office are here deposited for public inspection. 

The Athenveum of the “ Plymouth Institution and 
Devon and Cornwall Natural History Society, 57 is at 
the bottom of Athenaeum-street, by the Theatre. The 
“ Plymouth Institution 5 5 was founded “for the pro¬ 
motion of literature, science, and the fine arts, in the 
town and neighbourhood, 55 in 1812 (as has already 
been fully stated) its meetings being first held in 
various places amongst which were the Public Library, 
and the Picture Gallery in Frankfort-place. In 1818 
the foundation stone of the Athenaeum was laid by Mr. 
Woollcombe on the 1st of May, and the building was 
completed in the following February, on the 4th of 
which month it was opened by an address from the 
Eev. E. Lampen, which has been printed in the “ Tran¬ 
sactions 55 of the Institution. About twenty years 
ago the Devon and Cornwall Natural History Society 
was incorporated with the Institution. The building 
was erected from the designs (gratuitously supplied) 
of Mr. Foulston, and its front is of remarkably pure and 
chaste character. The entrance is within a portico, the 
pediment of which is supported on five massive fluted 
columns. The building contains a lecture hall, library, 
museum, laboratory, vestibule, attendant’s apartments, 
&c. The lecture hall has at one end, on a raised dais, 
the president’s seat, supported on either side by those 
of the treasurer and secretary ; at the opposite end is 


508 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


the lecturer’s table. The casts of statuary which adorn 
the room were presented by George IV., Lord Morley, 
Sir Wm. Congreve, and Sir T. Byam Martin; and 
around the upper part are bas-reliefs from the Par¬ 
thenon, presented by George IV.; there are also 
portraits and busts of Drake, Ealeigh, Horthcote, 
Eeynolds, Woollcombe, Lieut.-Col. Hamilton Smith, 
and others. In the museum are preserved many inte¬ 
resting local and other remains. Among the more 
noticeable are the assemblage of antiquities from the 
cemetery on Stamford Hill, described in the second 
chapter of this volume; some good examples of Eoman 
and other pottery ; some flint implements and stone 
celts ; bone mesh rules; studs and spindle whorls ; 
bones of extinct animals from Oreston; Eoman tesse¬ 
rae ; Persian inscribed bricks; models of groups of 
Indian figures; remains of a Peruvian mummy, and 
other relics from Peru; and many other objects. 
There are also good mineralogical, botanical, and other 
collections. 

Most of the literary, scientific, and artistic celebrities 
of the town and neighbourhood for the past half cen¬ 
tury have been connected with the Plymouth Institution 
and devoted their time and talents to its furtherance. 
Among those who have lectured and held office are, 
Mr. II. Woollcombe, Lieut.-Col. Hamilton Smith, Eev. 
E. Lampen, Sir Wm. Snow Harris, Dr. Edward Moore, 
Eev. S. Eowe, Mr. G. Wightwick, Mr. Cyrus Reding 
Messrs. George and William Eastlake, Mr. John 
Prideaux, Mr. J. M. Eendell, Dr. Blackmore, Dr. 
Wm. Elford Leach, Mr. Pengelley, Mr. J. C. Bellamy 
Mr. J. Iline, Mr. Llewellynn Jewitt, Mr. A. Booker, 


VOLUNTEER DRILL HALL. 


599 


Dr. Prance, Dr. Soltau, Mr. J. H. Hearder, Mr. C. S. 
Date, and many others. 

St. James’s Hall, Union-street, is a large and well 
proportioned room, for concerts, lectures, public meet¬ 
ings, exhibitions, &c. The Albert Hall, at Eldad, 
is also a large and convenient building, for the same 
purposes. 

The Volunteer Drill Hall, erected in 1871, is 
an enormous structure, 260 ft. long, 86 ft. wide, and 
45 ft. high. It is situated at Millbay, and besides its 
legitimate use as a drill hall for the volunteers, is 
admirably adapted for monster concerts, and election 
and other mass meetings. Soon after its completion 
it was much injured by a hurricane, and up to the 
present time has not been restored. The history of the 
Volunteer movement in Plymouth and its neighbour¬ 
hood is extremely interesting. “ In 1759, the Militia 
of this county, were one of the first raised, and em¬ 
bodied 600 men, and when the French fleet appeared 
off Plymouth, with the Spanish fleet, there were two 
companies of Volunteers raised, one of whom fed and 
clothed themselves, and the other was clothed by the 
town, and took pay from the Government.” They 
remained embodied the greater part of the war, and 
did duty over the Prisoners confined in the China 
House, at the Pound House, and Millbay Prisons. 
“Early in the War of 1794, there were two independent 
companies embodied under the command of Capt. 
John Hawker and Capt. Edmund Lockyer, and were 
composed of tradesmen only, who clothed themselves, 
and served without pay. They were clothed in super¬ 
fine red cloth, and faced with yellow. They wore 


GOO 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


helmets with bear skins over. After a year or two, 
the tradesmen began to leave it by degrees, and the 
vacancies were filled by workmen, and were increased 
to six companies, under the command of Mr. Hawker, 
who was then the Lieut-Colonel, and Mr. E. Lockyer, 
Major. They continued till the end of the war, and 
were on permanent duty once or twice. When they 
increased, they took pay, and were clothed by Govern¬ 
ment. About the year 1797, there were some more 
companies formed. The most respectable of the 
inhabitants formed themselves into three companies, 
called The Plymouth Foot Association , under the 
command of Major Culme, and clothed in blue coats 
and pantaloons, and white waistcoats, with red collars, 
—they clothed themselves and served without pay, 
and paid their drummers and fifers. The captains names 
were Mr. Bobert Fuge, Mr. B. Fuge, and Mr. A. 
Hill;—they were about 190 file. These gentlemen 
were not regularly sized, as David sometimes took the 
right of a Goliath. There was another company on 
the same principle as the last, but they were a Bifle 
Company, called the Rangers , and were clothed in a 
nice green, under Capt. Julian. They were seldom 
above 50 file. They had a good pair of Colours. 
The next company was commanded by Mr. P. 
Langmead. They w T ere clothed in red coats, and 
faced with yelllow. Here, to this gentleman’s honor, 
or the company’s, be it recorded, that he clothed and 
paid the men of his company all the time they were 
embodied, without any expense to the Government. 
They were a fine company of men, consisting princi¬ 
pally of brewers, and were seldom less than 70 men, 




THE OLD VOLUNTEERS. 


601 


sometimes 100, like brewer’s horses, very stout. 
There were a few cavalry, under Mr. Hilley; they were 
chiefly butchers &c., were independent of Govern¬ 
ment, and seldom numbered above 25 or 30 horsemen. 
They had a neat standard, and were clothed in 
red and yellow, and wore helmets. The Sea-Fencibles 
were about 250, and met on Saturday afternoons, and 
were taught the pike exercise, with which they were 
armed, and also to fire the heavy ordnance. They 
were not clothed—were under the command of Capt. 
Clements and other sea officers, and composed princi¬ 
pally of the Custom house men, and trawlers or fisher¬ 
men, and some seamen; they had no drums or colours, 
nor non-commissioned officers, but were taught by the 
Garrison Artillery.” At Stonehouse were two Volun- 
teer companies, one was independent and clothed 
themselves, and took no pay, under Capt. Pridham, 
not above 50 men; the other were called Barrack 
Artificers, and were paid by Government, but clothed 
themselves, and were commanded by Capt. Scoble, 
whose employ they were principally in. Neither of 
these companies did any duty; the latter were clothed 
in red, and faced with yellow. At Dock there were 
two independent companies, under different officers, 
and were distinguished by being the first and second 
division, and so remained until the end of the war. 
The total numbers at the end of the war were :— 


Col. Hawker’s battalion.350 rank and file 

Major Culme, Plymouth Foot Association .170 do. 

Major Julian’s Rangers . 50 do. 

Major Langmead’s Company.100 do. 

Capt. Hilley’s Light Horse. 30 do. 

Sea Fencibles.250 do. 

Capt. Pridham’s Stonehouse Volunteers . 50 do. 

Capt. Scoble’s Barrack Artificers. 70 do. 

Dock Volunteers .350 do. 


Total..1420 















602 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


The last time they met was when peace was pro¬ 
claimed when the greater part met and fired on the quay. 
u In the war of 1803, no sooner was the intention 
of Government known to raise volunteers in this town 
than all ranks hastened to enrol themselves. In a few 
days more than 700 men had enrolled themselves in 
Plymouth only, and at Dock about 400, all infantry. 
Those at Plymouth chose their commanding officer, as 
two names were set down for them, viz.:—John 
Hawker, and P. Langmead, Esqs. The greatest num¬ 
ber were for the latter. Printed addresses were cir¬ 
culated, subscriptions were set on foot, and the managers 
of the theatre gave a night or two to the fund esta¬ 
blished for giving better clothes than was allowed by 
the Government. The three battalions were at first 
clothed nearly alike, in red and yellow; when the 2nd 
Plymouth changed their facings to blue, and were called 
the Prince of Wales’s Oivn Plymouth. In the year 1807 
they formed a Rifle company, who were clothed entirely 
in green, with black muskets. At Dock was also 
raised by Colonel Rawle, a battalion consisting of five 
companies of Artillery of 48 gunners, 4 bombardiers, 
4 corporals, and 4 sergeants to each company. They 
were clothed like the Royal Artillery, and were called 
the Duke of York’s Own , making in the two towns, 
four large battalions. They all went on permanent 
duty in their turns, but in 1807, the Plymouth only 
went on duty. When the first battalion was 525 men 
they had no band, but many drums, and were much 
like the 9tli regiment of foot, and were a very fine 
set of men. The 2nd, or Prince of Wales’ s, were more 
like the 3rd Lancashire Militia ,with their Grenadier caps 


VOLUNTEER MOVEMENT. 


603 


and Hide companies, but tlie men were small and more 
like the Middlesex for size. They had a good hand 
the whole of the time, and each of the battalions had 
a pair of good colours. The Dock Infantry were 
about 600 men, had a good band, and a pair of colours. 
The Artillery and non-commissioned officers, 300. 
The Fencibles were 230. There was at Dock a small 
party of Horse, not more than 25 of the inhabitants, 
and none to Plymouth. Abstract of the Totals. 


1st Plymouth . 525 

2nd do. . 420 

Dock . 500 

Artillery . 300 

Fencibles . 230 

Horse . 25 

Total. 2000 


being more by TOO men, than in the last war.” When 
the present Volunteer movement was inaugurated 
Plymouth was, as usual, early in adopting it. The 
Plymouth Eifle Corps was formed in the autumn of 
1859, being one of the first to tender its services to 
the government as citizen soldiers. It was officially 
designated the 2nd Devon fPlymouthJ Volunteer Rifle 
Corps , and owes much of its present prosperity to the 
exertions of Major Duperier, who lost no time in 
instructing the 150 gentlemen who so readily respon¬ 
ded to the resolutions passed at a public meeting held 
in the Guildhall. 

The members were drilled at first in the Corn market 
and paid threepence each drill to a sergeant instructor, 
detailed from the militia for this special duty. Each 
member purchased his own uniform, which consisted 
of shako, black leather cross and waist belts, and dark 
green tunic and trowsers, with black kid gloves. After 









604 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


a few years the braid trimmings which were worn on 
the tunic were dispensed with, and the sombre colour 
of the uniform relieved by red facings. The first 
uniform parades, after the public swearing in ol the 
members, were held at Cattedown, and, after the expi¬ 
ration of a few months, the executive obtained the 
Corporation Grammar School in Tine well-street, (the 
site of the present new Guildhall) as the head quarters of 
the corps. Considerable alterations were made to form 
a parade ground, the two large gardens being added to 
the playground, and the whole levelled and thoroughly 
metalled. The fact of the head quarters being situated 
in the centre of the town was one of the principal 
reasons of the rapid increase of numbers. Major 
Duperier, who was the first Commandant of the corps, 
was appointed Adjutant on the formation of the 2nd 
Devon Administrative Battalion, consisting of the 
Plymouth, Devonport, Stonehouse, and Tavistock corps. 
He was succeeded in the command of the corps by 
Capt. Bewes, who in April, 1861, was appointed Ad¬ 
jutant of the 4th Devon Administrative Battalion. 
Lieut-Col. Hutchinson was then appointed, but re¬ 
signed after a short period; his resignation bearing 
date September, 1861. The next commandant was 
Lieut-Col. Fisk, who had just resigned the Adjutancy 
of the South Devon Militia, and under his auspices the 
corps was increased to three companies; the Cadet 
Corps, which was formed in 1860, was considerably 
augmented, and a Beading and Becreation Society was 
established, entertaining, during the winter season, the 
members and their friends with a series of Dramatic 
and miscellaneous entertainments—one of the popular 



VOLUNTEER MOVEMENT. 


605 


features were tlie performances of the u Second Devon 
Lilies,” adding considerably to the funds of the corps. 
To increase the numbers it was decided to pay for the 
uniform and accoutrements of fresh recruits from the 
funds; the annual subscription of ten shillings being 
also abolished. A large number of young men joined 
under this new system, and it was found necessary to 
build a drill shed by covering in the parade ground; 
the corps receiving government assistance in the shape 
of a Capitation Grant. In one corner of this shed a 
large concert hall was erected, affording increased 
accommodation for the entertainments, which were 
conducted on a larger scale. 

For upwards of seven years Lieut-Col. Fisk devoted 
his entire energies and time in making the corps 
as attractive as possible, not forgetting to instil into 
the members the great importance of a due regard for 
discipline. Ill-health compelling him to resign the 
command, the Volunteers presented to him a hand¬ 
some testimonial and an address signed by all the 
members, as a slight acknowledgment of the kindness 
experienced at his hands in performing the duties of 
what had to him been a true “ labour of love.” 
In August, 1869, Colonel Elliott accepted the 
command, and heartily seconded the efforts of his 
predecessor. Aided by many active officers and mem¬ 
bers, he succeeded in forming fourth, fifth, and sixth 
companies, and the old head quarters being required 
to give place to the new Guildhall, he obtained per¬ 
mission from the government authorities to erect the 
present head quarters in Prospect* row. The necessary 
alterations and improvements involved a considerable 


GOG 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


outlay, and about £500 from the funds of the corps 
were devoted to the purpose. The large drill shed just 
spoken of was also erected. 

Major Duperier having resigned the Adjutancy of 
the Battalion on the 19th of December, 1870, Colonel 
Elliott was appointed Adjutant in his place and gave 
up his commission as commandant of the corps. He 
was succeeded by the present commanding officer, Major 
General Pickard, who has taken active steps to give 
the Volunteers an insight into Camp Life, having camped 
out with a large number of men on Maker heights, 
for several days prior to the annual inspection. 

The following are the officers at present holding 
commissions :— 


Lieut. Col Commanding. .Major Gen. Pickard. 


Maj or.Mortimer J. Collier. 

Captains.Thomas Pitts. 

.Thos. H. Butcher. 




>> • • • « 

» » • • • « 

Lieutenants 

9 ) • • • • 

• • • • 

Ensigns ... 

*f . . . . 


George Browse. 
John Stevens. 

W. T. Spearman. 
J. T. Avery. 

. H. H. S. Pearse. 
John J. Matthews. 
Henry J, Hissett. 
Wm. J Penn. 

. Alfred Dyer, 


Ensigns .Jas. J Avery. 

,, .John D. Spooner. 

,, .. L. D. Westcott. 

Hon. Chaplain :—Eev. Charles T. Wilkinson, 
M.A. 

Officers of the Battalion. 

Lieut.-Col : The Bight Honble. the Earl of 
Moun t Edgcumbe. 

Major : Edward St. Aubyn. 
Adjutant: Col. J. Elliott. 

Surgeon : J. H. S. May. 
Quarter-master : W. H. Luke. 


The following tabular form shews at a glance the 
progress and efficiency of the corps from 1862 to the 
present date : 


Year 

Efficient 

30s. 

Efficient 

20s. 

1862 



1863 

80 

24 

1864 

71 

20 

1865 

96 

32 

1866 

109 

19 

1867 

96 

25 

1868 

188 

50 

1869 

265 

109 

1870 

413 

147 

1871 

329 

110 


Non 

Efficient 

Total 

Enrolled 

Capitation 

Grant. 

£ s. d. 

48 

113 




59 

163 

93 

15 

0 

61 

152 

144 

0 

0 

40 

168 

126 

10 

0 

40 

168 

176 

0 

0 

54 

175 

169 

0 

0 

26 

264 

322 

0 

0 

— 

374 

506 

10 

0 

— 

560 

876 

10 

0 

41 

460 

701 

0 

0 


Alterations. 

Marks¬ 

men 

Added 

Discd. 

39 

34 

25 

23 

33 

29 

28 

39 

20 

46 

30 

30 

32 

32 

23 

35 

28 

31 

123 

34 

21 

187 

77 

50 

246 

60 

30 

49 

129 

26 







































WATER WORKS. 


607 


The Freemasons’ Hall, Cornwall-street, was opened 
in 1828, by the Provincial Grand Lodge of Devonshire. 
It contains besides the Commercial rooms, and an 
Auction room, a large hall, originally used for the 
purposes of the Order, as well as for lectures, public 
meetings, etc.; it is now only used for offices and 
auction rooms. 

The Water Works. The water supply of 
Plymouth is one of the most complete and perfect 
in the kingdom, and the water itself of the purest 
and finest quality. Like all other towns in mediaeval 
times, Plymouth was dependant on its public and “holy” 
wells for a supply of water, but in the reign of 
Elizabeth, through the energy and exertion, as well 
as the skill and liberality, of the great admiral, Sir 
Francis Drake, an endless stream was brought into 
the borough, and made available to its inhabitants, by 
means of conduits. In 1589 or 1590, “the town 
agreed with Sir Francis Drake, to bring in the water 
of the Piver Meavy, and gave him <£200 in hand and 
£600, for which he is to compound with the owners 
of the land over which it runneth, which, being in 
length about 25 miles, he, with great care and dili¬ 
gence, effected, and brought the river into the town 
the 24th of April, then next after. Presently after 
he set in hand to build six great mills, two at Widey 
in Egg Buckland parish, the other four by the towne; 
the two at Widey and the two next the towne he fullie 
finished before Michaelmas next after, and ground 
corn with them.” This water course and the Grist 
Mills are all included in the charters of the town. 
The Conduits were several in number, one of the 


608 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


finest erected, and the last removed, being that by Old 
Town Gate, which was taken down in 1834, when the 
sculptured arms and inscriptions were inserted in the 
wall of the Eeservoir on the Tavistock-road. It is 
shown in our engraving of Old Town Gate. 

The Leat. More of a history, and more romantic 
interest, is attached to the water supply of Plymouth 
than that of any other town. Brought in by the 
perseverance, the energy, and the skill of no less a 
man than the great Admiral Sir Francis Drake, at a 
time, and under circumstances when so great a boon 
could be but little expected; continued to the present 
day with watchful care by the corporation ; and sur¬ 
rounded by pleasant old customs and numberless 
traditions, the history of the water supply of this 
busy town is something more than a dry detail of a 
“ limited” company, or of reservoirs, pipes and taps. 
An abstract of the history of the Plymouth Leat, 
drawn up by no less an ~ authority than Mr. C. C. 
Whiteford, the Town Clerk of the borough, for the 
Government inquiry into the sanitary condition of the 
town gives the facts so well that I here quote it along 
with an extract from the report of the borough surveyor. 
Mr. Whiteford says :— 

“The stream from which the inhabitants of Plymouth derive their supply of 
conduit water is the property of the mayor, aldermen, and burgesses of the borough, 
and the profits derived from the supply, form a large part of the corporate revenue. 

The channel in which this water is brought from the Elver Meavy to the town of 
Plymouth, commonly called the Plymouth Leat, was formed about the year 1590 
under the powers of an Act of Parliament 27tli Elizabeth, intituled ‘ An Act for 
preservation of the haven of Plymouth.’ The works were executed under the 
superintendence of the celebrated navigator Sir Francis Drake, who was for a long 
time commonly supposed to have defrayed the cost of the w r orks out of his private 
funds, but the records of the Corporation show not only that he was supplied with 
funds by the Corporation, but that he received a valuable acknowledgment from 
them, in the form of a lease of certain mills erected on and worked by the stream. 

It appears from the records of the Corporation that on the stream being thus brought 
to the town they proceeded to regulate its distribution for the supply of the inhab- 



THE PLYMOUTH LEAT. 


60:) 


itants, which was chiefly effected by means of public conduits, erected in the streets 
or set up against houses and public buildings. Many of these existed until the 
year 1827, when they were finally closed by the Corporation. From these public 
conduits the bulk of the inhabitants derived their supply of water without any 
charge, but it is evident that from a very early date it was also the practice to 
afford supplies of water at the houses of the inhabitants by pipes laid for the pur¬ 
pose, for which the parties supplied paid an annual rent to the Corporation. The 
rental for the year 1608, being the first of the series which has been preserved, 
contains the names of 38 parties thus supplied. Of these 37 paid a rent of 4s., and 
1 of 10s. per annum. The strictness with which the control of the water was main¬ 
tained by the Corporation is evidenced by a bye-law, passed as early as 1602, by 
which the inhabitants were prohibited from conveying water from the great pipe 
into any of their houses, or otherwise without the leave of the Corporation, under a 
penalty of 40£., to be levied by distress or imprisonment of the offender. It is un¬ 
necessary to trace in detail the history of the water supply which grew with the ex¬ 
tension of the town, and the increase of the population, but no essential change 
took place in its general conditions until the year 1824, when the Corporation 
entered into a contract with the Commissioners for Victualling the Navy for the 
daily supply of 400 tuns of water to the Victualling Establishment then about to be 
erected in the township of Stonehouse, with a further contingent supply of 80 tuns 
per diem to the same establishment, or to the Royal Naval Hospital in the same 
place. The terms of this contract were embodied in a public Act of Parliament 
5th George the Fourth, cap. 49, which contained several provisions protecting the 
rights of the Corporation in the water, and imposing penalties for the abstraction 
or pollution of the stream, for which no summary remedy was afforded by the 
statute of Elizabeth. These powers, however, might still be beneficially extended 
and it would be of great advantage if the provisions of the Water-works Clauses Act 
1847, (Stat. 10 <fe 11 Viet. c. 27), were applicable to the works. The engagements 
entered into by the Corporation for the supply of the above-named Government 
Departments, were the occasion of extensive alterations and improvement in the 
works. The weir for diverting the water of the Meavy into the Plymouth Leat 
was rebuilt and improved, the channel of the Leat was repaired, defective portions 
replaced, and the banks in many places raised. In Plymouth a reservoir of greatly 
increased dimensions was formed, to which a second was added, the public conduits 
were closed, the leaden pipes used for conveying the water to the houses of the 
inhabitants were taken up, and iron pipes laid through all the principal streets. 
No accurate statement exists of the costs of these improvements, which extended 
over several years, but the sum of 25,000L, at which they have been roughly 
estimated, is probably not wide of the truth. The whole cost was defrayed by 
the Corporation out of the proceeds of their corporate estates. From this period 
the general supply of the town has assumed a greatly improved character. 
Increased care has been given to the works, and large sums have been annually 
expended in their extension and improvement. The income derived from the water 
has in like manner increased, and in a ratio greatly exceeding even that of the 
population, rapid as that has been. The catchment basin of the river Meavy is 
fully 4,000 acres, or 6 square miles, in area, and varies in altitude above the sea from 
700 feet at the weir of the river Meavy, to 1,300 feet at the summit, near Prince 
Town. This basin is drained into the Meavy by three tributaries, the Deancombe, 
Wineford, and Stainlake, and their subsidiary feeders. The sides of the valleys 
are preeipituous, and the tributaries are torrents, consequently a large portion of 
the rain falling is discharged into the river with much rapidity. In consequence 
of the geological conformation of the district a large portion of the rain passing 
through the soil is ultimately discharged into the river at the lower level. The ele¬ 
vation of the district, and its geographical position on the south-western margin of 
•the island exposes it to the wettest winds sweeping off the Atlantic Ocean, con- 

TJ 


610 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


sequently the rain-fall upon it is excessive. The result of 16 years observations 
at Goodamoor, 800 feet above the sea, and not far distant, shows an average 
fall of rain equal to 56 inches annually, (whilst the average of 30 years obser¬ 
vations at Plymouth is only 35 inches,) of which, at least 18 inches flows 
into the rivers, being a proportion of about one-eighth. The quantity of water, 
therefore, flowing from 4,000 acres into the river Heavy would be 261,360,000 
cubic feet annually, or on the average 4,439,540 imperial gallons per diem 
throughout the year. Or allowing for the loss of floods at least 4,000,000 
gallons per diem throughout the year may be obtained from the Meavy only. But 
the Beat itself in its winding course of 16 miles, receives the rain water flowing 
from more than 2,000 acres, a large proportion of which is moor land. If over the 
the whole course of the Beat an average of 13 inches per annum flows off the ground 
the supply is equivalent to an average of 1,600,000 imperial gallons per diem 
throughout the year. But at this time a very large proportion of water is lost over 
the weir in the winter season and during floods. It is consequently prudent to 
affirm that the sources of supply of the Plymouth Beat are capable of yielding 
6,000,000 imperial gallons per diem throughout the year, and that allowing one- 
sixth part for waste and partial loss during storms, and for the wants of the country 
fully 5,000,000 imperial gallons per diem may be delivered into Plymouth every 
day equally throughout the year, if proper storeage, reservoirs, and engineering 
works are constructed for the purpose. ” 

Since this time wonderful improvements have been 
made in the Water Supply, by the formation of new 
reservoirs, of the best construction and of large size, 
and by other engineering additions. The memory of 
Sir Francis Drake who 

“With fresh streams refresht this Towne that first, 

Though kist with waters, yet did pine for thirst,” 

is kept alive year by year with religious care at the 
“ fishing feasts,” and a noble statue of him, on the 
highest point of the new municipal hall, overlooks the 
town to which he gave this inestimable blessing. 

The Borough Prisons are in Cheltenham-place, 
North-hill, near to the New Workhouse; they were 
erected in 1849, at a cost of £12,500, from the designs 
of Fuller and Gingell. 

The Workhouse, near the Prisons, was built after 
the designs of Messrs Arthur and Dwelley in 1851. The 
workhouse, originally called the “ Hospital of Poor’s 
Portion” was founded in 1615, in the Mayoralty of 
Abraham Colman or Colmer and was vested in the 


HOSPITAL OF POOP’S PORTION. 611 

corporation and endowed with lands and messuages in 
Plymouth; other gifts and endowments being subse¬ 
quently made. In 1707-8 the corporation conveyed 
their rights and trust to a Body of Guardians who 
became incorporated by Act of Parliament. The 
workhouse became, by authority of the Act of Incor¬ 
poration, a house of correction, and the guardians in 
whom were vested the various corporate and parish 
alms-houses, seem to have possessed extraordinary 
powers. Some curious entries in the record of the Hos¬ 
pital of Poor’s Portion, illustrate the state of society 
at the time, and also show the kind of arbitrary power 
exercised by the guardians. There are several such 
entries as the following :— 

It was ordered “ that Mr. Turtliff, Mr. Collier, Mr. Smithurst, Mr. Freeman, 
be desired to take one or more constables with them and either suppress the Lottery 
and other unlawful games that shall be kept in the Great Market to-morrow or 
bring the persons that keep them, to this house as vagrants.” 

January 26 1723-7 after recounting the statutes etc., the Court of Guardians 
having taken into serious consideration the decay of Trade of this Town and con¬ 
sequent thereto the deficiency of the Poor Rates from vacant Houses and yet the 
increase of the Poor, and being desirous according to the example of their prede¬ 
cessors, some years since to discountenance and discourage all tendance of vice 
and immorality, as they esteem interluders, to be resolved, and it is the inviolable 
resolution of this Court, that in case any Players or Actors of Interludes who by 
the aforesaid Laws are declared Rogues and Vagabonds, shall presume to Act as 
such within the Borough of Plymouth, that the Constable or any of them do by 
virtue of the Warrant to them issued from the Governor and some other members 
of this corporation for apprehending all Rogues Vagabonds and other offenders 
therein specified, apprehend all such Players of Interludes so presuming to Act, to 
committ them to be kept to hard labour till the further pleasure of this corporation 
therein, and that this corporation will at their own cost and charges indemnifie 
and defend all such constable or constables as may happen to be mulcted or prose¬ 
cuted for doing their duty therein.” This older is signed by the Governor and 
eighteen other Guardians. 

March 15 1727 “That Mary Clarke be committed to Bridewell and have Six 
pounds of Hemp to beat every day and in default thereof to be wliipt.” “That 
no person in this House have Breakfast and Supper at once as hath lately been 
practised, and that such in the House as do not attend at Prayers the usual Hours 
Morning and Evening be Mulcted of their Breakfast or Supper and otherwise 
punished as the Court thinks fitt, and that if any sell their provisions that they be 
punished as the Court thinks fitt, and likewise the Buyer, if in the House.” “That 
Diana Weymouth and her Daughter Elizabeth, be whipt, for not performing the 
task set them by this House.” 

“ That John Guy who was committed to the Bridewell by the Mayor’s order to 



612 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


Mr. John Guswell one of the Constables of this Borough to be kept at hard labour 
have ten pounds of Hem]) to beat every day and in default thereof to be whipt.” 

March 20 1727 John Robertson, “ taken up as a vagrant beggar” and refusing 
to answer some questions “ the Court ordered him to the Cage, to be kept at hard 
labour for twelve months and to beat ten pounds of Hemp every day, and in default 
thereof to be whipt.” On the 17 of April, it was ordered however “that the 
Vagrant Beggar, John Robertson, be discharged the Bridewell he having entered 
as a Soldier with Capt. Thompson in Col. Harrison’s Regiment; the Capt. being 
present in Court and promising to take him away with his wife and two children.” 

May 15 1728 “ That the Examination of the Glassman, and of the Woman that 
mends Chairs, and also the Baker at Old Town Gate, and the man that sells Sweet 
Meats in Howes Lane be taken touching their Settlement.” 

1731 “ That Mr Morshead be desired to speak with Doctor Gortley and know 
of him what he will have for cutting off a poor Man’s Legg, and report it to the 
next Court ” “ The Treasurer to pay Mr. Gortley three guineas for cutting off John 
Woodcocks Legg.” 

This day Mr. Peter Whipple agreed with this Court to shave the poor men of 
this House once a Fortnight for a penny a time for each person, and to poll the 
Boys for Sixpence a Quarter.” 

In 1731, “the Court of Guardians gave leave to the 
Bell Founder to cast a Bell for St. Andrew’s Church, 
in the Workhouse garden” and the next year it was 
ordered that the out poor shall wear badges. In 1748, 
on the 5th October, u leave was given to cast a set of 
Bells for St. Andrew’s Church, in the Workhouse 
garden.’’ On the 19th September, 1750, it was 
ordered that Bamfylde Moore Carew’s settlement be 
taken. In 1758, a building was ordered to be erected 
for a Bound for beating Ilemp, with a large Moorstone 
like that used for bruising apples, and all other things 
convenient for that purpose. In 1780, Mr. Justice 
Hicholls, was fined £2 10s. for his daughter being 
buried in linen, and on the 27th of August, 1787, it 
was ordered (what a change from 1726 !) “that Players 
be requested to Act a Play for the benefit of the Poor.” 
In 1814, the building was much enlarged. In 1827, 
the eastern side of the quadrangle was rebuilt, at a 
cost of £1058, and in 1833 was again considerably 
extended. Acts of Parliament relating to this Hospital 
have at various times been passed, the last, that of 


ALMSHOUSES, ETC. 613 

1813, among other provisions declaring the House of 
Correction within the Worldiouse available for lunatics 
and for other purposes. In 1849, it was resolved to 
erect the present new building on one of the fields 
belonging to the Hospital, and the site of the venerable 
pile with its quadrangle, its large Bridewell, its 
pound for hemp heating, its cells, dormitories, hall 
and numerous offices was eventually sold to the Cor¬ 
poration of the borough as a part of the site for the 
New Guildhall and Municipal buildings. 

The Almshouses of the Town are, or were, some¬ 
what numerous. The oldest of these is the one to 
which the following entry relates:— 

“ Almeshouse called Gods Howse for the reliefe of 
impotente and lazare people with owte any certayne 

nomber appoynted.there are at this present but 

xiiij.somtyme there he xx u sometyme more or 

lesse as the occasyon of tyme do the offerr.they have 

besydes theire mansyon howse the rentts of certayne 
lands gyven by dyverse persons. The yerely value 
of possessyons xiiij7 vij s. There ys no jewells, etc.” 

This “ Gods House ” was probably the Almshouse 
whose chapel was later on used as a grammar school 
over which the master had lodgement provided, and 
other Almshouses were the “ Old Church Twelves;” 
those founded by Col. lory in 1703; Anne Prynne; 
Alice Baker, in 1660 ; Fownes; John Lanyon 1674; 
Fox 1834 ; Victoria 1844, byMrsHodson; and others. 
The Charities are also unusally numerous and liberal. 

The Hospital of Orphans’ Aid was founded in 1625 
by Thomas and Nicholas Sherwell as is fully shown on 
page 167. In a bye-law of the corporation in 1653 it 





614 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


is recited that the Mayor and Commonalty by reason 
of the populousness and increase in the Borough, the 
access of strangers, &c., have become much in debt 
and that to pay the same &c., they had agreed in con¬ 
sideration of £1400 (which is stated to be a part of a 
greater sum due from the Mayor and Commonalty to 
the Governors, Assistants, Wardens, and Poor People 
of the Hospital of Orphan’s Aid) to convey to them 
a fourth part of the grist mills, malt mills, toll and 
mulcture of the inhabitants, the leat, and of all the 
several closes, pieces, or parcels of land which were 
heretofore set to Sir Francis Drake Edit., (except Sour 
Pool,) and also of two new grist mills then lately 
built &c. The building has been removed and the 
charity is now located in modern premises in Regent- 
street. 

The Grammar School appears to have been founded 
in the reign of Henry VII, in 1501, when a master 
was appointed to teach grammar to the children of the 
town at a salary of £10 a year, with a lodging over 
the chapel of the Alms-house (“Gods House”) and 
the use of the chapel itself as a school-house. Pro¬ 
bably another room was, in the latter part of the same 
century used for a school, for in 1561 an item of pay¬ 
ment occurs “ for a locke for the bulworke door and 
for mending the school-house door 3s. 4d.” and the 
following year a sum was paid “ for helynge stones 
for the schole-house.” In 1572 Queen Elizabeth 
besides other matters granted to the corporation the 
annual payment due by St. Andrew’s to Plympton 
Priory on condition of their maintaining the Grammar 
School and these grants were confirmed by Charles II. 


THE CEMETERY. 


615 


The corporation retain the right of nomination of a 
certain number of boys. 

The other old schools of the town are the now 
united u Ilele and Lanyori’s ,” the former founded in 
1632, the latter in 1674, and formerly dressed respec¬ 
tively in red and in blue. These schools are on the 
Tavistock-road. The Grey School in Hampton-street 
founded in 1713 and formerly known as the u Grey 
and Yellow” Schools. Lady Rogers' School in the 
Tavistock-road founded in 1764. The Public Free 
School founded in 1809. The Infants' School in con¬ 
nection with the former was established in 1860 ; the 
Ragged Schools in 1848; and Jews School in 1867. 
Parish and denominational schools are abundant and ad¬ 
mirably conducted. The education of the children of 
Plymouth is now under the control of a School Board, 
which appears to be working well for the good of 
the town. 

The Cemetery, on the north side of the town, 
occupies a site of about ten acres of ground, and is 
beautifully laid out with winding paths and shrub¬ 
beries. It has two chapels, and is approached from 
the town by the way of St. Michael’s Terrace, and 
Pennycomequick. It was first opened in 1848, and has 
since then been very considerably enlarged. 

The Dispensary was founded in 1798, principally 
through the exertions of Dr. Yonge, and in 1807 the 
present building was erected. In one of the rooms is 
a portrait of its founder, by Yorthcote. The South 
Devon and East Cornwall Hospital, in Sussex-plaee 
was founded in 1835, the building being erected from 
designs of Mr. Wightwick; wings, and a children’s 


Cl 6 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


ward, have since then been added. The Eye Infir¬ 
mary was established in 1821, by Dr. Butter and Dr. 
E. Moore; a portrait of the former, by Lucas, is 
placed in the building. The South Devon and 
Cornwall Institution for the Blind, in Cobourg- 
street, was founded in 1859 by a blind man, Mr. J. 
Gale, junr., who, deeply sympathising with his fellow 
sufferers, went from door to door seeking out the blind 
and inquiring into their condition, and after finding 
about 80 such persons, in the three towns, and ascer¬ 
taining, apportionately, the number in Devon and 
Cornwall, conceived the idea of establishing this In¬ 
stitution, and he set about canvassing for subscriptions 
for the purpose. lie next convened a meeting of the 
blind, 40 of whom, as well as several clergymen and 
others* attended. Mr. Gale then proposed that an 
Institution should be established at Plymouth for the 
three towns, and extend its benefits to the south of 
Devon and Cornwall. A committee was afterwards 
formed, premises taken, and a number of blind persons 
admitted and taught useful trades. Eltimately the 
Prince Consort became its patron, and many legacies 
were added to its funds. 

The Female Penitentiary was established in 1808, 
but after many vicissitudes, was closed about the year 
1832, when the property belonging to it was sold off. 
A few years later the institution was re-formed, this 
time in Wyndham-place, and, soon afterwards, removed 
to Mill-lane, and, next, to Hampton House, which was 
purchased for the purpose. It is now one of the best 
and most useful of institutions of its kind, and is of 
incalculable benefit to the class for whose reclamation 


CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS. 


617 


it is intended. There are also other institutions of a 
similar character in the town. The Female Orphan 
Asylum, Lockyer-street, established in 1834, and the 
building erected in 1841, maintains, educates, and 
trains about 70 orphan children, and is supported by 
voluntary subscriptions. Besides these there are Tem¬ 
perance Societies, with a Temperance Hall in Baleigli- 
street; Soup Societies; a Sailors’ Home, in Yauxhall 
street; a Mendicity Society; and various other bene¬ 
volent and useful institutions, as well as many 
important charities. 


CHAPTER XIII. 


MANUFACTURES, ETC,-PLYMOUTH CHINA AND EARTHEN* 

WARE—BELL FOUNDING-WOOLLEN TRADE-OIL MILLS— 

SALT—SAIL CLOTH—SOAP-WORKS—SUGAR REFINERIES- 

DISTILLERIES-STARCH AND BLACK LEAD—BISCUITS-IRON 

FOUNDRIES—PATENT CANDLES—NEWSPAPERS—HOTELS—* 

DILIGENCES-COACHES-RAILWAYS-TRAMWAYS-GAS 

ETC. 

The manufactures, past and present, of Plymouth, 
are very varied, and some are of great importance. 
There is not, nor has there ever been, any distin- 
tive manufactory connected with the locality, and 
many which have at one time or other flourished 
and increased have ultimately died out and become 
extinct. Leaving Ship-building out of question, the 
principal manufactures now carried on are Soap 
Works, Sugar Refineries, Chemical Works, Distil¬ 
leries, Starch and Blue Works, Soda Works, Patent 
Candle Works, Paper Staining, Black Lead Works, 
Rope Makers, Pipe Makers, Gunpowder Mills, &c., 
and in addition to these there formerly were China 
Works, Earthenware Works, Oil Mills, Woollen Cloth 
Weavers, Serge Weavers, Sail Cloth and Canvas 
Weavers, Eellmongers, Salt Refiners, Bell Pounders, 
and others. 





619 


trader’s tokens. 


Some little information regarding some of the trades 
of Plymouth from about 1650 to 1680 is to be 
gathered from the traders tokens issued at that 
period. Taking twenty-eight known varieties of these 
tokens there appear among the owners to have been 
besides five or six uncertain ones, probably merchants 
one Cooper, two Mercers, ten Vintners or Innkeepers, 
one Tallow Chandler, three Grocers, one Book¬ 
seller, one Draper, one Apothecary, and the 
Postmaster. These traders token’s are as follows :— 


l.—Obv. 

Rev. 
2 .—Obv. 
Rev. 

3. — Obv. 

Rev. 

4. — Obv. 

Rev. 

5. — Obv. 

Rev. 

6. — Obv. 

Rev. 

7. —Obv. 

Rev. 

8. — Obv. 

Rev, 
9 — Obv. 

Rev. 
10.— Obv. 

Rev. 
11 .—Obv. 

Rev. 

12. — Obv. 

Rev. 

13. — Obv. 

Rev. 

14. — Obv. 

Rev. 

15. — Obv. 


ABRAHAM APPELBEE 

OF PLYMOVTH 
ELIZABETH BYLAND 
OF PLYMOUTH 1667 
NICHOLAS COLE 
OF PLYMOUTH 1665 
IOHN COOKE 

IN PLYMOVTH 
HENRY CLARKE 


A ship in full sail 
A 

A M 

The Coopers Arms 
E.b between two stars. 

A full blown Rose 
N.C 

Shield bearing the arms, a chevron between three 

C pears 

I M 

A Lion rampant 


OF PLYMOUTH 1667 

HENRY DAVIS 
OF PLYMOUTH 1669 
BENIAMIN DVNNING 
IN PLYMOVTH 1666 
MARGRET EATON 
IN PLIMOVTH 1655 
GRACE ELLIOTT 
OF PLYMOVTH 
IVDITH FORD 1669 
OF PLYMOVTH 
IOACHIM GEVERS 

OF PLYMOUTH 1656 
CHRISTOPHER HATCH 


C 

H M 
HIS 

HALFE-PENNY 

H d with true lovers knot with flowers for 
A Castle [terminations 

B D 

The Apothecaries Arms 
M E 

The Mercers Arms 
G E 

I F 

A Castle 
G 

I A 

A Swan 


H 

OF PLYMOVTH 1658 C R 

michael hooke grocer The Grocers Arms 


HIS 

IN PLYMOVTH 1667 HALF-PENNY 

I AMES IACKSON AT THE The Sun 

I 

SUNN IN PLYMOVTH 1651 | 

WM MOUNTSTEVENS 1670 


Rev. OF PI YMOVTH W P 


620 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH 


16.— Obv. 
Rev. 

SAMVELTj northcott 

POSTMA IN PLYMOVTH 1653 

S N 

17 —Obv. 

ROGER OLIYER 1663 

Arms,*a chevron between three trees, each on 

Rev. 

IN PLYMOTH MERCER 

R q amount 

18 .—Obv. 

EDWARD PATESON 

The Drapers Arms 

Rev. 

IN PLYMOVTH 

P 

E A 

19. — Obv. 

IOHN PAYNE 

A Pelican in her piety 

Rev. 

IN PLYMOVTH 1656 

1 P 

20. — Obv. 

SIMON PAYNTER OF 

Pour Castles, two and two 

Rev. 

PLYMOVTH 1657 

P 

S A 

21. — Obv. 

RICHARD PERRY 1658 

A man making candles 

Rev. 

IN PLYMOVTH 

P 

R D 

22. — Obv. 

HENRY PIKE AT THE THREE 

Three Cranes 

Rev. 

CRANES IN PLYMOVTH 

Hp conjoined 

23.—Obv. 

THO. PIKE AT YE 4 

The arms of the borough of Plymouth; 
a saltire between four Castles 

Rev. 
24. — Obv. 

CASTLES IN PLYMOTH 

WILLIAM REEPE 1666 

P y 1657 

Rev. 

OF PLYMOVTH 

R 

W P 

25.— Obv. 

WILLIAM TOM GROCER 

Arms of the family of Toms ; three bucks 
heads couped ; crest, a Cornish Chough 

HIS 

Rev. 

IN PLIMOVTH 1667 

HALF-PENY 

26.— Obv. 

WILLIAM WARREN 

* A Fleece w T 

W 

Rev. 

IN PLYMOVTH 1656 

W 1 

27. — Obv. 

WILLIAM WARREN 

A Fleece 

Rev. 

IN PLYMOVTH 

W W between four cinquefoils 

28— Obv. 

WILLIAM WEEKS 

A book closed and clasped 

W 

Rev. 

IN PLYMOVTH 

W S 


Of Tokens of a later date there have also been one 
or two struck at Plymouth, and these again throw 
some little light upon the trades of the town. These 
are; 

Obv. Plymouth Halfpenny A man at work at a loom 
Rev. Sail-canvas Manufactory, 1796 A girl, seated at a spinning-wheel 
Edge. Payable at Shepheard Hammet & Co, 

Of this token no less than ten varieties are known. 
Another, although more strictly a medal than a token, 
may be classed with this. It was struck to commemo¬ 
rate the visit of George III. to Plymouth, and was 
issued both of copper, and plated:— 

* This William Warren was the owner of the land on which Charles Church and 
Church-yard were built and formed. 



PLYMOUTH PORCELAIN WORKS. 


621 


Obv. Georgius iii. Eex Laureated bust of the king to the right ; a small d 
beneath the bust 

Rev. Visited Plymouth August 1789 Oval shield of arms under a draped canopy 


About tlie time of the issuing of these later tokens 
there appear to have been (according to a “Directory” 
of 1783 quoted by Burt) the following businesses 
carried on in the town in that year. 


Linen Draper 

1 I 

Brewers 

4 

Ship Chandler 

1 

Corn Factor 

1 

Silversmiths 

3 

Sail Makers 

4 

Eope Makers 

2 

Braziers 

2 

Ship Builders 

7 

Coach Maker 

1 

Chemists 

3 

Block Makers 

2 

Ironmongers 

3 

Grocers 

9 

Wine Merchants 2 

Merchants 

11 

Curriers 

2 

Brush Maker 

1 

Attornies 

11 

Baker 

1 

Tanner 

1 

Gunsmith 

1 

Hat Maker 

1 

Cheesemonger 

1 

Salesmen 

2 

Auctioneers 

2 

Carpenter 

1 

Bagmaker 

1 

Cutler 

1 

Brokers 

4 

Barrister 

1 

Printer 

1 




Cabinet Makers 5 
Earthenware and 
Glassmen 2 
Tallow Chandlers 3 
Surgeons and 
Apothecaries 10 
Physicians 4 
Tobacconists 2 
Confectioner 1 
Notary Public 1 
Marble Cutter 1 


So that at that time there would not appear to be 
any actual manufacture carried on in the place. During 
the present century, however, many manufactures have 
sprung up, and Plymouth can now boast of producing 
goods of one kind or other which are not only supplied 
throughout the kingdom, but are exported in large 
quantities. Some of the principal manufactures of 
the place, past and present, will now be noticed. 

The Plymouth China Works. —These works, whose 
productions are now ranked among the most rare and 
valuable of any, were established by William Cook¬ 
worthy, of Plymouth—a man whose name deserves 
the highest honour among ceramists as the discoverer 
of the two great native materials for the art, kaolin 
and petuntse. William Cookworthy was born at 
Kingsbridge, on the 12th of April, 1705, his parents 
being William and Edith Cookworthy, who were 
Quakers. His father was a weaver, and died leaving 









622 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


his family but ill provided for, in 1718. Thus young 
Cookworthy, at the age of thirteen, and with six 
younger brothers and sisters—for he was the eldest 
of the family of seven—was left fatherless. His 
mother entered upon her heavy task of providing for 
and maintaining her large family with true courage, 
and appears to have succeeded in working out a good 
position for them all. She betook herself to dress¬ 
making, and her little daughters were taught to aid 
her. In the following spring, at the age of fourteen, 
young Cookworthy was apprenticed to a chemist in 
London named Bevans ; hut his mother’s means being 
too scanty to admit of his being sent to the metropolis 
in any other way, he was compelled to walk there on 
foot. At the close of his apprenticeship he returned 
to Plymouth, not only with the good opinion, hut with 
the co-operation of his late master, and commenced 
business in Nutt-street, as wholesale chemist and 
druggist, under the name of Be vans and Co ok worthy. 
Here he gradually worked his way forward, and be¬ 
came one of the little knot of intelligent men who in 
those days met regularly together at each other’s 
houses, of whom Cookworthy, Hr. Huxliam, Hr. Mudge 
and the elder North cote were among the most celebra¬ 
ted. Here he brought his mother to live under his 
roof, and she became by her excellent and charitable 
character a general favourite among the leading people 
of the place, and was looked up to with great respect 
by the lower classes whom she benefited. In 1735 
Cookworthy married a young Quaker lady of Somer¬ 
setshire, named Berry. This lady, to whom lie seems 
to have been deeply attached, lived only ten years 




PLYMOUTH PORCELAIN WORKS. 


023 


after their marriage, and left with him five little 
daughters, and Cookworthy remained a widower for 
the remaining thirty-five years of his life. 

In 1745 his attention seems first to have been 
seriously directed to experimenting in the manufacture 
ot porcelain—at all events, in May of this year the 
first allusion to the matter is made in his letters and 
papers and this only casually, as follows in :— 

“I had lately with me the person who hath discovered the china-earth. He 
had several samples of the china-ware of their making with him, which were, 

I think, equal the Asiatic. ’Twas found in the back of Virginia, where he was in 
quest of mines ; and having read Du Halde, discovered both the petunse and 
kaulin. ’Tis the latter earth, he says, is the essential thing towards the success of 
the manufacture. He is gone for a cargo of it, having bought the whole country 
of the Indians where it rises. They can import it for £13 per ton, and r by that 
means afford their china as cheap as common stone ware. But they intend only 
to go about 30 per cent, under the company. The man is a Quaker by profession, 
but seems to be as thorough a Deist as I ever met with. He knows a good deal of 
mineral affairs, but not funditus.” 

The death of his wife which took place a few 
months afterwards took his attention away from busi¬ 
ness and he retired to Looe for a time. On his 
return he took his brother Philip, who had lately 
returned from abroad, into partnership, and carried 
on the business under the style of <£ Wm. Cookworthy 
& Co.” This arrangement enabled William Cookworthy 
to devote himself to the scientific, while his brother 
took the commercial, part of the concern. Left thus 
more to the bent of his scientific inclinations, he 
pursued his inquiries relative to the manufacture of 
porcelain, and lost no opportunity of searching into, 
and experimenting upon, the properties of the different 
natural productions of Cornwall; and it is related of 
him that, in his journeys into that county, he has 
passed many nights sitting up with the managers of 
mines, obtaining information on matters connected 




G24 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


with mines and their products. In the course of these 
visits he first became acquainted with the supposed 
wonderful properties of the “Divining Bod,” or 
“Dowsing Bod,” as it was called by the Cornish 
miners, in the discovery of ore of various kinds. In 
the magic properties of this rod he was an ardent 
believer, and he wrote an elaborate dissertation upon 
its uses, which has been published. His journeys 
into Cornwall, however, were productive of much 
more important results than the fabulous properties 
of the divining rod, for it was in these journeys 
that he succeeded in discovering the materials for 
the manufacture of genuine porcelain. The informa¬ 
tion given him by the American in 1745 had never 
been lost sight of, and he prosecuted inquiries wherever 
he went. After many searchings and experiments, 
he at length discovered the two materials, first in 
Tregonnin Hill, in Germo parish; next in the parish 
of St. Stephen’s; and again at Boconnoc, the family 
seat of Thomas Pitt, Lord Camelford. There is a 
kind of traditionary belief that he first found the 
stone he was anxious to discover, in the tower of 
St. Columb Church, which is built of stone from St. 
Stephen’s, and which thus Jed him to the spot were 
it was to be procured. At this time he lodged at 
Carlogges, in St. Stephen’s parish, with a Mr. Yelland, 
and was in the habit of going about the neighbour¬ 
hood with his “ dowsing rod,” in search of mineral 
treasures. This discovery would probably be about 
1754 or 1755. Having made this important discovery, 
Cookworthy appears to have determined at once to 
carry out his intention of making porcelain, and to 


PLYMOUTH CHINA. WORKS. 


625 


secure the material to himself. To this end he went 
to London to see the proprietors of the land, and to 
arrange for the royalty of the materials. In this 
he succeeded; and ultimately Lord Camelford joined 
him in the manufacture of china, and, as appears 
from a letter of that nobleman to Polwhele, the 
Cornish historian, the two expended about £3,000 
in the prosecution of the work. 

The experiments on the Cornish materials having 
been quite satisfactory, Co ok worthy established him¬ 
self as a China manufacturer at Plymouth, his works 
being at Coxside, where some parts of the buildings 
still exist and are known as the “ China House,” 
although now used for a very different purpose—that 
of ship building. In 1768, William Cookworthy took 
out a patent for the manufacture of “ a kind of 
porcelain, newly invented by me, composed of moor- 
stone or growan, and growan clay.” The patent was 
dated 17th March, 1768, and contained the usual 
proviso that full specification should be lodged and 
enrolled within four months of that date. This 
important specification, which I have examined and 
printed in extenso in another work, was duly enrolled, 
and from about this period a marked improvement was 
discernible in the productions of the manufactory, 
which, however, was not destined to continue long in 
existence as it was not a commercial success. Coal, 
which was abundant in Staffordshire, and other locali¬ 
ties, was entirely wanting at Plymouth, and the 
“ firing ” of the kilns had to be done with wood. The 
clay and the stone Cookworthy had within easy distance, 

but coal was wanting; his material was difficult and 

u—2 


626 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


expensive to make, and therefore he was unable to 
keep pace with other manufactories, and to compete 
with them. Add to this that he was far from being a 
young man—being then in his seventieth year—it is 
not surprising that he should determine on giving up 
the works, especially as Lord Camelford, (one of his 
partners,) says nearly £3,000 had been sunk in their 
prosecution. On the 6th of May, 1774, therefore, 
William Cookworthy, for considerations set forth in 
the deed of assignment, sold the business and patent- 
right to Bichard Champion, merchant, of Bristol, a 
connection of Mr. Cookworthy’s by marriage, who 
had been connected pecuniarily with the works at 
Plymouth, and they were transferred to that city. 
The works having been transferred to Bristol, were 
carried on by Bichard Champion, who, having incurred 
considerable expense without a proportionate return, 
petitioned for a further term of fourteen years patent- 
right to be extended to him, which was accordingly 
done by Act of Parliament passed in the session which 
commenced the 29th of November in the same year 
(1774). Thus ended, after the brief period of fourteen 
years from its first experimental formation to its close, 
the manufacture of porcelain in Plymouth—a manu¬ 
facture which was an honour to the locality, a credit 
to all concerned in it, and which has given it, and 
Cookworthy its founder, who died in 1780, an im¬ 
perishable name in the ceramic annals of this country. 

The early examples of Plymouth China are, as 
might naturally be expected, very coarse, rough, and 
inferior, but they evidence, nevertheless, considerable 
skill in mixing, though not so much, perhaps, in firing. 







PLYMOUTH CHINA WORKS. 627 

They are remarkable for their clumsiness as well as for 
their bad colour, their uneven glazing, and their being 
almost always disfigured by fire-cracks—if nowhere 
else almost invariably on the bottom. The decorations 
at first were principally (as were those of other 
manufactories) blue ; the original blue being of a heavy, 
dull, blackish shade, hut gradually improving until on 
some specimens it attained a clear brilliance. To this 
Cookworthy, who was a good chemist, paid considerable 
attention, and he was the first who succeeded in this 
country in manufacturing cobalt direct from the ore. 
The blue for his porcelain, he of course prepared for 
himself, and it is said, with great probability, that 
some of the painting in this colour was done by his 
own hand. The plain white porcelain is one of the 
notable features of Plymouth China. The pieces 

are mostly salt-cellars 
pickle-cups, toilet, and 
other pieces formed of 
corals, shells, and other 
marine objects beauti¬ 
fully, indeed exquisitely, 
modelled from nature and grouped together with 
eonsumate skill; busts and figures, and various other 
articles, were also produced in white. The later pro¬ 
ductions consist of dinner, tea, breakfast, toilet and 
other services; mugs and jugs; trinket and toilet 
stands; busts, figures and groups; birds and animals ; 

“ Madonnas ’ ’ and other figures 

after foreign models; candle¬ 
sticks, and a variety of other 
articles. Some of these were 









G28 HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 

exquisitely painted in brilliant colours with birds, 
groups, flowers, and other decorations,by Saqui, Bone, 
and other artists employed at the works. That Cook¬ 
worthy endeavoured to procure good artists is 
evident by the following advertisement, in 1770 :— 
4 1 China Painters wanted, for the Plymouth new in- 
vented Patent Porcelain Manufactory. A number of 
sober, ingenious artists, capable of painting in enamel 
or blue, may hear of constant employ by sending their 
proposals to Thomas Prank, in Castle-street, Bristol.” 
Among the busts and statuettes are an admirable bust 
of George the Second, after the statue by Ruysbrach 
in Queen’s-square, Bristol; Woodward, the actor; 
Mrs. Clive; a Shepherd; a Sheperdess, etc., which 
show that excellent modellers must have been em¬ 
ployed. 

The mark of the Plymouth China is usually painted 



in red or blue on the bottom of the piece, but it does 
not occur on the white examples. The mark is the 
chemical sign for tin or mercury, and was doubtless 








PLYMOUTH CHINA WORKS. 


629 


chosen by Cookworthy, the 
chemist, to denote that the 
materials from which it was 
made, and which he had dis¬ 
covered, were procured from 
the Stanniferous districts of 
Cornwall. The form of the 
mark, naturally, is found to vary in different examples, 

through the different 
“hands’’ by which 
it was painted on. 
In one or two in¬ 
stances the mark 
was incised in the 
soft clay before 
glazing; hut these 
instances are very 
rare. The follow¬ 
ing are varieties of 
the mark from dif¬ 
ferent specimens :— 

2)1 2 |, ^ 21 

Besides these it is necessary to name especially a 
mark which occurs on a pair of small sauce-boats 
belonging to Mr. W. Skardon. These are embossed 
and painted with birds and flowers in colours, and 

upon each is the mark :— 

M r * 

W m - Cookworthy’s 
Factory Plym 0 - 

*77° 
















630 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


On an example belonging to Dr. Asliford, is much 
the same mark :— 

jt- 

fW. $aoJmLQ 

jTf'actanjj. !7Pbj/riCLiitli, 

1770 . 

Another curious example, has, on the bottom, 
u March 14th, 1768, C. FA and on another part the 
Plymouth arms and the word u Plymouth,” etc. 

Among the finest known examples of Plymouth 
China are a pair of splendid covered vases of hexagonal 
form, with festoons of raised flowers, and richly painted 
with butterflies, &c., in the possesion of Mr. Francis 
Fry, F.S.A. These I have engraved in the u Art 
Journal,” and in my u Ceramic Art.” 

In Lord Mount Edgcumbe’s possession too, is a pair 
of vases of very similar character (but more nearly 
resembling Mr. Fry’s specimens of Bristol,) on which 
the Plymouth mark has, at a later period, been added. 
Many good examples of this ware still remain in the 
hands of families resident in Plymouth and its neigh¬ 
bourhood and in the cabinets of most collectors. The 
accompanying engravings show some characteristic 
examples of this famous porcelain. 

The manufacture of China-ware having ceased in 
Plymouth in 1774 this useful and elegant art was lost 
to the town. Some years later rough common brown 
and yellow earthenware was made here. In addition 
to these, manufactories of fine “ Queen’s Ware,” and 
painted, printed, and enamelled ware, w^ere established 
in 1810. The proprietors of the various potteries, in 
1815, were Mr. Fillis, Mr. Algar and Mr. Hellyer. 


WOOLLEN MANUFACTURE. 


631 


Mr. Wm, Alsop, also, later on (who made coarse ware 
near the Gas Works), built a manufactory for fine 
earthenware of the ordinary commoner quality, hut 
afterwards removed to Swansea, his works passing into 
the hands of Messrs. Bryant, Burnell, and James. 
Subsequently Mr. Alsop, returned from Swansea and 
formed a Limited Liability Company. At his death a 
Mr. Bishop from the Staffordshire pottery district took 
the management, but the manufacture died out, and 
about 1863 the plant was sold off and the place 
disposed of to the Gas Company. The mark used by 
this company was the Queen’s Arms, with the words 
“ P.P. COY. L. (Plymouth Pottery Company Limited.) 
Stone China.” The quality of the ware was of the 
commonest description of white earthenware, blue 
printed in various patterns. There is at the present 
time a manufactory of common brown ware, carried 
on by Mr. Hellyer. 

Woollen Manufacture, formerly a staple trade of 
the place, but now extinct, was introduced by a Mr. 
Shepherd, from Northampton, towards the close of the 
seventeenth century, and continued for three or four 
generations in his family. Mr. William Shepherd, 
grandson of the introducer “ seems, ” says Burt in his 
admirable Eeview of the Commerce of Plymouth 
(1814), “ to have been one of the greatest benefactors 
ever possessed by the port; for, besides keeping regu¬ 
larly at work six or seven looms in private houses in 
Plymouth, and the business done immediately under 
his own eye at the manufactories, he had branches of 
the trade at Ashburton, Totnes, Buckfastleigh, Tavi¬ 
stock, and other places within a circuit of 25 miles, 


632 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


which altogether employed 4,000 men, women and 
children, to whom he paid every week from £1,200 to 
£1,500 for wages.” Of these about 1,800 persons were 
employed in Plymouth and adjacent places, about 800 
of whom were spinners, 600 washers, spoolers, warpers, 
and tuckers, 300 weavers, and the remainder wool- 
combers. After computing his annual profits at 
Christmas he invairably divided a tenth part of them 
among the poor. He assisted, by occasional loans, 
tradesmen of good character; delivered frequent lectures 
on religious and social subjects to his workpeople; and 
u became their human father and friend on all occasions.” 
Mr. Shepherd having established aline of six coasting 
vessels at Plymouth, besides others at Ashburton, Bristol, 
etc., forwarded his goods to London for the East India Co. 
“ The baizes and cloths manufactured from coarse wool, 
not disposed of at Plymouth or in its neighbourhood, were 
shipped for North America. On the breaking out of 
the first American War the trade began to decline, 
and gradually died out.” In 1783 the woolcombers or¬ 
ganised a grand procession on the ratification of peace. 
The Messrs. Shepherd also carried on the business of 
Pellmongers—the making of leather for gloves, small¬ 
clothes, and other purposes—Neats-foot Oil makers, 
and Glue makers. 

Bell Founding. This was a trade formerly car¬ 
ried on in Plymouth, but not of long duration. The 
only Founder of whom any record remains was 
Ambrose Gooding, who flourished from 1717 to 
1750. Twenty six bells cast by him remain in 
Devonshire at the present day. These are Tetcot, 
on which his name, “A Gooding, 1717,” appears 



BELL FOUNDING. 


633 


in full; Sherford, on one of which appears his name 
u Ambrose Gooding, of Plymouth,” and on another 
his mark, a Bell between the initials, A and G, with 
the date 1728; Welcombe on one of which appears 
u A Gooding cast us all fower, 

For this new budded tower—1773 ; ” 
and on another the initials and Bell as before; 
Dartmouth, on one of which is u Ambrose Gooding, 
of Plymouth, cast us all, 1732; on another “A. 
Gooding, Founder, 1742;” and on another the mark 
of a Bell and “ A. Gooding, 1732 ;” Holne, where “ A. 
Gooding cast us all five, 1743,” and other ways of 
putting his name occur; South Tawton ; Paington; 
Churchstow; Bingmore ; Charlton ; Thurlestone ; and 
Berry-Pomeroy—this last being the latest date, 1750- 
These are all the bells (twenty-six in number) which 
are known to be his casting now remaining in 
Devonshire, but others exist in adjoining counties. 
It is a curious fact, and one that illustrates well the 
truism that u a prophet hath no honour in his 
own country” that while Ambrose Gooding, the Ply¬ 
mouth Bell Founder, was casting so many beautiful 
and sonorous bells for surrounding parishes, he was 
not permitted to cast those for his own. In 1749, 
Thomas Bilbie, of Chewelstoke and Cullumpton, cast the 
old peal of eight for St. Andrew’s Church, Plymouth, 
having obtained permission, as had been before 
done, to found them in the old Workhouse-yard. 
These bells bore respectively the following inscriptions 
1st bell TB 1749 ; 2nd T B 1749 ; 3rd “ T. Bilbie 
1749;” 4th “T.Bilbie, Fecit 1749;” 5th quite plain; 6th 
“ Thomas Bilbie cast us all;” 7th “ Thomas Bilbie, 




634 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


cast all wee;’ 5 8th “Ego Sum Vox Clamantis Parate. 
Zach Mudge, Vicar. George Marshall, Pichard Hicks, 
Eccles Guard.” This last Bell was re-cast by Thomas 
Mears, of London in 1840. The trade of Bell 
Founding seems to have begun and died out with 
Ambrose Gooding. 

Linseed Oil Mills formerly existed here, but the 
trade has long since been discontinued. 

Salt appears to have been made at Plymouth as 
early as the reign of Queen Anne, when it was classed 
among those privileged by that sovereign. The works 
appear to have been in Lower-street, and in Briton-side, 
but although very productive and lucrative in the early 
part of this century, have long been discontinued. 

In 1814, when Burt issued his “Beport,” the 
principal trades in the town were :—Tallow Chand¬ 
lers, of which there were six in Plymouth, one in 
Stonehouse, and seven or eight in Devonport; the 
trade was both home and export. Block and Pump 
makers ; Anchor Smiths ; Shoe Makers ; Saddlers ; 
Brush Makers, who did a good export trade; Hail 
Makers, now discontinued; Earthenware Makers, 
already spoken of; Paper Makers; Brewers; Coach 
Makers; Upholsterers; Marble Masons, who worked 
the native marbles; Dyers, who, besides the usual 
branches of their trade, dyed the blue and green 
serges made in Plymouth; Writing Slate and Slate 
Pencil Makers, by whom a large home and export 
trade was carried on, and who by their excellent 
machinery, produced two slates per minute ; Millers ; 
Varnish and Pitch Makers, carried on by Mr. Saunders 
and Mr. Nicholls; Ivory Black Makers, commenced 



SAIL CLOTH AND CANVAS WOIIKS. 


635 


by Mr. Briggs; Tobacco and Snuff Makers—the 
Tobacco being cut by horse power, and the Snuff by 
the same method, or by hand; Tobacco Pipe Makers 
(Mr. Taylor, in Market-street, and Messrs Burnell, in 
Briton-side), a trade which is still carried on ; Straw 
Plaiting, carried on by Mr. Tozer and Mr. Bigg; 
Tanners, there being at that time five tan-yards, 
belonging respectively to persons of the names of 
Tanner, Martin, Crews, Dove, and Branscombe and 
Son * Ship Builders ; Pope Makers, there being 
fourteen rope-walks in the Port, belonging respectively 
to the following names, Dunsterville, Rodd and Co., 
Ellis, Bath, Hammett and Stevens, Nicholls, Norris, 
Grill, Thatchel, Tendre, Chubb Alder and Johnson, 
Rowe, and Peak and Bond ; Sail Makers, of which 
there were several; Curriers and Leather Cutters ; 
Eellmongers or Tawers; Timber Merchants; Canvas 
Makers, (Mr. Peter Welsford, and Messrs. Hammett 
Prance and Co.,) who produced brown and bleached 
sail cloths, Poldavies, bagging, wrappering, corn sacks, 
and bed sacking; and a White Serge manufacturer, (Mr. 
Codd,) the last remnant of the Woollen trade of the 
town already alluded to. 

The first Sail Cloth, or Canvas manufactory in 
Plymouth, was established in Westwell-street, by Mr. 
Jardine, and was continued there by Mr. Welsford. 
Another firm, Shepherd, Hammett, and Co., after¬ 
wards Hammett, Prance, and Co., built the Frankfort 
Barracks for the same purpose, but sold it to Govern¬ 
ment, and erected another near the King’s Mill, outside 
Old Town Gate. These are seen in the engraving on 
another page, of Old Town Gate, beyond the archway 


G36 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


and conduit. Later still Mr. Byron Aldham carried 
on a similar manufacture, (along with flax-spinning,) 
in Mill-street, and this is still continued. 

At the present time, Plymouth can boast within 
itself of having, besides all the ordinary trades and 
businesses, many very important manufactories, which 
as they become more and more developed, cannot fail 
to be of immense benefit to its inhabitants. These 
are the Sugar Refineries, Soap Works, Starch Works, 
Patent Candle Manufactories, Chemical Works, Biscuit 
Makers, Cement Works, &c., &c. 

The Soap Works are among the more important 
manufactures of Plymouth and have become, in fact, one 
of the staple trades of the place. This manufacture 
was introduced in 1818 by Mr. Thomas Gill, and the 
works erected at Millbay. Afterwards they were 
carried on by a company called the u Millbay Soap 
Alkali and Soda Company.” The Soda and Alkali 
works were built about 1830 but are now discontinued, 
the very large premises being devoted to the manu¬ 
facture of soap. The works which are under the man¬ 
agement of Mr. John Rice, are situated at Millbay and 
occupy the entire area of ground from the Millbay 
barracks and the line of railway into the Docks; the 
line passing close to the buildings for loading and dis¬ 
charging. They are the most extensive and important 
works of the kind in the West of England, and indeed 
are among the largest in the kingdom, and the 
machinery and general business arrangements are of 
the most modern and complete description, and enable, 
by a skilful arrangement, about twenty tons of soap per 
hour to be run into the frames. Household soaps of 


SOAP WORKS AND SUGAR REFINERY. 


637 


every kind, are produced in large quantities 
as are also those for manufacturing purposes, for 
silk throwsters and other trades. Toilet soaps, in 
in all sizes and shapes of tablets, etc., are also pro¬ 
duced in every variety and of high quality. The 
speciality of these important works is the “ Millbay 
Soap,” a fine pale yellow production whose bars are 
specially marked with the arms of Plymouth and the 
name of u Millbay.” 

The “ Victoria Soap Company’s” works are also 
situated at Millbay, near the floating dock. The 
“Victoria” Company was established on these pre¬ 
mises in 1858, by Mr. E. A Morrish, and, in 1863, 
purchased the “West of England Soap Company” 
which had been founded by Messrs. Bryants and 
Burnells, and removed their plant, &c., from the 
Sutton-road. These works, at the exhibition of 1862, 
were awarded the medal for excellence of quality 
of their household yellow and of soaps for manu¬ 
facturers’ use. The great speciality however, of 
the Yictoria works is Toilet Soap, which is pro¬ 
duced in great quantities, and of every conceivable 
kind, and of the very finest qualities. These, and 
the household soaps, are exported in considerable 
quantities, and a good home trade is also done; many 
tons being despatched weekly to one place or other. 

The “ Imperial Soap Company,” also at Millbay, is 
of much less extent, and produces the ordinary classes 
of household and toilet soaps, for the home markets. 

Sugar Befinery. The manufacture of Sugar was 
carried on in Plymouth in the early part of last century. 
One of these works was on the eastern side of Sutton 


638 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


Pool, the other on the old Exeter-road, where an old 
round building, often mistaken for a fort, was in use 
about 1750 a for grinding canes, and worked contrary 
to the modern principle by a horizontal instead of a 
perpendicular wheel.” These however died away and 
in 1838 the present refinery was established by Messrs. 
Bryant and Burnell, by whom it was carried on until 
1856 when it merged into a company, established 
under the Limited Liability Act, under the title of the 
u British and Irish Sugar Befining Company, Limited ” 
and is under the management of Mr. Gf. H. Brown. 
The works are situated in Mill-lane, where they cover 
a very extensive area of ground. The site includes a 
portion of that of the old Frankfort Barracks, and 
also a part of the gardens of Sir Francis Drake, whose 
residence in Saltash-street was immediately contiguous. 
The business done by this company has been, from its 
commencement, on an extensive scale, its produce being 
distributed through the Midland and Southern districts 
of England and throughout Ireland, and it has of late 
been considerably increased. Over 10,000 tons of Sugar 
are imported annually by which the Customs’ receipts 
of the port are much increased, in fact some few years 
ago, when the Sugar duties were much higher than 
now, this company alone contributed about one half 
of the entire customs’ receipts of this port. Employ¬ 
ment is given to nearly 150 hands, and about 120 tons 
of coal per week are consumed in the works. The 
machinery and business arrangements are of the most 
complete and admirable kind. 

Distilleries. “ Plymouth Gin ” is so well known 
far and wide, and is made and drank to such an extent 


639 


STARCH WORKS, ETC. 

that distilling must be included among the staple trades 
of the town. The principal distillery is that carried on 
in the name of “ Coates and Co.,” by Mr. Hawker, in 
Southside-street, on the site, as has already been 
stated, on page 496, of an ancient religious house, 
probably belonging to the Black Friars. The premises, 
which are extensive, and fitted with the most modern 
appliances, contain many interesting remains of the 
old buildings. A large quantity of spirit is produced 
at this distillery, and is sent to all parts. There are 
two other, but smaller, distilleries in the town; and 
there are likewise some extensive breweries. 

Starch and Black Lead Works, &c. The business 
of Starch making wms introduced by the late Mr. E. 
James, in 1843, who, in that year commenced the 
manufacture of Wheat Starch, but shortly afterwards, 
it being discovered that a larger percentage, and a 
finer quality could be produced from Bice, he obtained 
a license from the patentee and continued to make the 
Bice Starch until the expiration of the patent. Since 
then many improvements in the patent have been 
effected by Messrs. James, who are now among the 
most successful manufacturers of Starch. In the 
course of time the firm assumed the style of “ Burnard 
James and Sons,” and various articles were added to 
the manufacture of Starch, viz.:—some of the other 
laundry requisites, such as “Ball Blue,” and some of 
the numerous Alkaline detergent preparations, sold 
under the names of “ Washing Powders,” “Soap 
Powders, &c.” The packing of every description of 
Plumbago, or Black Lead, for household purposes, has 
also been added, for the most part in the form of solid 



640 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


blocks, compressed by the aid of machinery. For 
most of these productions the firm has received medals 
from various International Exhibitions. Messrs. James 
and Sons’ works are in Sutton-road, and another Starch 
manufactory, that of the Plymouth Starch Works 
Company, Limited, is carried on in Bussell-street. 

Chemical and Artificial Manure Works also 
flourish in Plymouth, and, commercially speaking, have 
been very serviceable to the town. Boman Cement 
manufactories also give employment to several 
persons. 

Biscuit Manufactory.— This was established to¬ 
wards the middle of the present century by Mr. 
George Frean and is now carried on by Messrs. 
Serpell & Co. 

Iron Founding. —These works, established by Mr. 
Mare, were afterwards carried on by the “Plymouth 
Foundry and Engine Works Company, Limited ” in 
Frankfort Square and Millbay, but are now closed. 

Patent Candle Works. —These works, belongingto 
the “New Patent Candle Company, Limited, ” are in 
Sutton Boad, where they cover a large area of about 
20,000 feet of ground. Wax, sperm, and composite 
candles, as well as night lights and other goods, are 
produced in large quantities, entirely for the home 
trade. 

Newspapers. Plymouth has had its Printing Press 
ever since the close of the seventeenth century—a. Mr. 
D. Jourdaine, having set one up in 1696 or there¬ 
about—and its newspaper from the first part of the 
eighteenth—a Mr. E. Kent, in Southside-street, having 
then started “the Plymouth Weekly Journal or 




NEWSPAPERS. 


641 


General Post.” This paper had but a short life, com¬ 
mencing in 1721 and being discontinued in 1723. To¬ 
wards the latter part of the century “ the Plymouth 
Chronicle ” was started and continued a short time 
and was succeeded by another of the same name in 
1808. This was discontinued in 1818 and shortly after¬ 
wards two new papers, the “ Journal” and the 
u Gazette ” were started; the latter continuing only 
about a year, and the former being the precursor of 
the present “ Western Daily Mercury.” In 1820 
the “ Plymouth, Devonport and Stonehouse Herald” 
was commenced; a few years later the “ Western 
Times ” and in 1831 “the Plymouth, Devonport and 
Stonehouse Advertiser” was started and continued 
for twelve months, ultimately merging into the “West 
of England Conservative and Plymouth, Devonport 
and Stonehouse Advertiser.” In 1836 the “ Plymouth, 
Devonport and Stonehouse Hews,” was started and 
continued to be published for about six months, and 
the next venture the “Plymouth Times” started in 
1842 has also long ceased to exist. In 1844 a new 
venture the “ South Western Standard,” was set 
afloat and issued for a month or two. In 1852 
the “ Plymouth Mail ” was commenced and ten years 
later was incorporated with the “Western Morning 
Hews.” In the same year the “Western Beacon” 
was issued for a few months. In 1856 the “Plymouth 
Stonehouse and Devonport Standard ” was published 
for a short time. In 1860 the “Western Morning 
Hews,” and in the following year the “Western 
Weekly Hews,” were commenced and in 1869 the 

“ Western Daily Standard ” was started first as a daily 

v 


642 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


and afterwards as a weekly, but was of short contin¬ 
uance. The newspapers published at the present 
time in Plymouth are u The Western Daily Mercury ” 
(daily) established under its present name as a 
daily paper in 1860 (as the successor of the u Ply¬ 
mouth and Devonport Journal ” which was first com¬ 
menced in 1817); its proprietor is Mr. Isaac Latimer, 
Mayor of Plymouth 1871, and the publishing office is 
in Frankfort-street. “ The Western Morning News” 
(daily) established in 1860; it belongs to the “Western 
Morning News Company Limited ” and its publishing 
office is in George-street. “ The Plymouth Devonport 
and Stonehouse Herald ” (weekly) first published as a 
full priced weekly in 1820, but now simply a small 
advertising paper; it is published in George-street. 
u The Exeter and Plymouth Gazette and Daily Telegram ” 
(daily) although not printed in Plymouth, is supplied 
there. ‘‘ The West Country Lantern ’’ established in 1871 
and published at Treville-street. “ The Thunder¬ 
bolt” also established in 1871 and published in 
Ebrington-street. “ The Western Globe” established in 
March 1872, and published weekly at one halfpenny 
in Flora-street. 

In periodical and local literature, Plymouth has had 
its full share; and many of the serials to which it has 
given birth, are of high standing and considerable 
excellence. Of these, however, it is scarcely necessary 
to speak. 

Hotels. In 1792, Plymouth contained several Inns 
for the accommodation of Strangers, viz.:—the Prince 
George and London Inn, in Foxhole-street; the 
Fountain Tavern, near Smart’s Quay; the Pope’s 



HOTELS 


643 


Head Inn, in Pike-street; the King’s Arms, at the 
bottom of Exeter-street; the Bristol Inn, in Old Town, 
and Globe Tavern, at Frankfort Gate.” In 1814, 
there were “ 124 innkeepers, publicans, and victual¬ 
lers ; ” in 1843, there were 171 ; and in 1852, 263. 
At the present time there are considerably more. 
The principal hotels now, are the following :— 
The “ Royal Hotel,” at the corner of George- 
street and Lockyer-street, (already described on 



pages 449 and 592) and connected with the Assem¬ 
bly Rooms and Theatre. 



The “Duke of Cornwall” Hotel, belonging to 






























































644 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


the u Plymouth Hotel Company—Limited,” nearly ad¬ 
joining the railway station at Millbay, erected from the 
designs of Mr. C. F. Hayward, F.S.A., is one of the 
most elegant buildings in the West of England. 
It contains about 150 rooms, and the whole are fitted 
up with every modern appliance for ease and comfort. 

The u Globe ” is at the junction of George-street 
and Frankfort-street, and facing directly up the whole 
length of Bedford-street. This is one of the oldest 
established hotels in the town, and is centrally situated 
and excellent in its internal arrangements. 

“ Harvey’s Hotel,” at the corner of George- 
street and Lockyer-street, facing the Boyal Hotel, 
and fronting down Bank of England-place, is built on 
the site of the house of the late Sir George Magrath. 

The u Albion,” by the Bailway Station, and 
u Chubbs” in Old Town-street, are large and commo¬ 
dious establishments. 

Transit.— Carriages plying for hire appear to have 
been introduced about 1775, and, towards the close of 
that century, “ Diligences ” were to be found upon 
the Stand “ at the end of Old Town, Plymouth,” and 
that in Fore-street, Dock, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. in 
summer, and till 8 p.m. in winter, for the conveyance 
of passengers backwards and forwards between those 
two places. A few years later the Stands for 
“ Diligences ” were at the Fish Market, and by Frank¬ 
fort Gate. The fares were curious and are worth 
preserving. Some of them were as follows:— 

Between any place in Plymouth, Plymouth Dock or Stonehouse, and any 
other place within the same town (except Coxside and the Victualling Office at 
Plymouth*) 


* The Old Victualling Office under the Citadel. 



SEDAN CHAIRS, COACHES AND DILIGENCES. 645 


One or more.Is. 

Between any place in Plymouth, and Bound’s Cove, the Citadel, the Victual¬ 
ling Office, Coxside, and Tothill:— 

.One, Two or Three .Is. 6d. 

Four .. ., .» .. .2s, Od. 

Between any place in Plymouth, and any other place within the Parishes 
of St. Andrew’s and Charles 

One or more .... .. .» 3s. Od. 

Between Frankfort-Stand in Plymouth, and any place in Plymouth Dock, not 
exceeding in distance the stand in Fore-street:— 

One, Two or Three .. .. .. .. Is. 6d. 

Four.. .. .2s. Od. 

Between Frankfort-Stand in Plymouth, and any place in Plymouth Dock, 
exceeding in distance the stand in Fore-Street 

One, Two or Three .2s. Od. 

Four .. ., ... .. .. .. ., . .. 2s. Gd. 

Between Frankfort-Stand in Plymouth, and any place in Stoke or Morice- 
town, by way of Penny-come-quick :— 

One, Two or Three .2s. 6d. 

Four.3s. Od. 

Between Frankfort-Stand in Plymouth, and any other place in the Parish of 
Stoke Damerel :— 

One or more. 3s. 6d. 

Between Frankfort-Stand in Plymouth, and any place in Stonehouse, in the 

direct road between Plymouth and Plymouth Dock:— 

One.Is. Od. 

Two or Three.Is. 6d. 

Four.2s. Od. 

Between Frankfort-Stand in Plymouth, and any other place in Stonehouse, 
not exceeding in distance the Southern end of Durnford-street:— 

One, Two or Three .Is. 6d. 

Four.2s. Od, 

Between Frankfort-Stand in Plymouth, and any other place in Stonehouse, 
exceeding in distance the Southern end of Durnford-street:— 

One, Two or Three .. 2s. Od. 

F,our.. .. .„ .. .-. .2s. 6d. 


Between any place in Plymouth, beyond Frankfort-Stand (except Coxside and 
the Victualling Office) and any of the places above-mentioned, an additional 6d. 

Between Coxside, Tothill, the Citadel, and the Victualling Office, and any 
of the places above-mentioned, an additional Is. 

1STo Hackney Coach was allowed to carry more than 
six passengers, nor Chaise more than four, and every 
driver was entitled to 6d. extra for every fare. Besides 
these “ Diligences ” for conveying people from place 
to place, “ Sedan Chairs” were much in vogue, the 
regulation of 1790 settling the fares “ for carrying ” 
any person to or from any destination in the town \ the 
general charge being 6d. for short distances, with. 3d. 
for every quarter of an hour’s attendance. 




















646 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


Stage Coaches at that time lumbered their heavy, 
weary way from Plymouth to various parts of the 
country, carrying three inside and one outside passen¬ 
gers ; a Passenger “ Diligence ” carrying six inside 
and four outside passengers; a “Balloon Coach,” a 
“Long Coach,” and a “Mail Coach,” carrying four 
inside and two outside passengers, conveyed passen¬ 
gers to and from Exeter, and waggons conveyed goods. 

At the present day Cabs and Omnibuses in abun¬ 
dance, with the latest improvements in “Hansoms” 
have done away with the “ Diligences” and “ Chairs ” 
of those times; the South Devon Pail way has annihila¬ 
ted the “ Balloon” and “ Long Coaches” ; and the new 
Tramway is doing its best to supersede even pedes- 
trianism on the connecting line of the Three Towns. 

The South Devon Eailway, was opened to Laira 
in 1848, and to its present station in 1849; the 
Tavistock Branch in 1859 ; and the Cornwall Eailway 
in the same year. The first of these (from Plymouth 
to Exeter by way of Plympton, Ivybridge, Totnes, 
Newton for Torquay, Teignmouth, Dawlish, Starcross, 
and Exeter), places Plymouth in connection with the 
entire railway system of the kingdom. The second 
opens out an important Devonshire district, and the 
last places Cornwall in direct communication with the 
rest of the kingdom. The joint station is at Millbay, 
but is quite unworthy so great an undertaking and so 
important a locality. Schemes of extension and en¬ 
largement, are, while we write, being considered, and 
there seems every probability of these being carried 
successfully out. 

Gas. In 1770, as shown on page 347, Plymouth 


GAS WORKS. 


647 


was first lit with Oil; 250 Oil Lamps being ordered to 
be procured,. 200 of which were to be mounted and 
the other 50 kept as a reserve. In 1823, a company 
for manufacturing and supplying the town with Oil 
Gas was incorporated; and two years later the 
“United General Gas Company ” was formed; these 
two companies becoming incorporated in 1832. The 
Gas Works were at Millbay, and consisted of 44 
retorts arranged in six groups of 5 each, and two of 7 
each, consuming in all 222 bushels of coal per day. 
In 1845 the “ Plymouth and Stonehouse Gas-light and 
Coke Company ” was incorporated by Act of Parlia¬ 
ment and still supplies those towns with Gas of excel¬ 
lent quality and at a very moderate rate. 


CHAPTER XIV. 


THE CASTLE—TOWN WALLS-OATES—CONDUITS—DUCKING 

STOOL-THE CITADEL-THE FORTIFICATIONS AND DEFENCE 

OF PLYMOUTH-THE HOE—ST. NICHOLAS OR DRAKE’S ISLAND 

-THE BREAKWATER-THE BREAKWATER FORT-THE EDDY- 

STONE LIGHTHOUSE-MOUNT BATTEN. 

Plymouth formerly possessed a Castle, and was 
enclosed with walls in which were a number of gates. 
The Castle appears to have been quadrangular in 
form, with a round hattlemented tower at each angle, 
and a central keep. It had hattlemented walls 
running from it to the west, while below it, to 
the east, was the Barbican, with its Port and 
chain, enclosing and guarding the Haven, or Sutton 
Pool. Prom the four towers, at the angles of this 
“ Castell quadrate,” the arms of the Borough of 
Plymouth—a Saltire, or St. Andrew’s Cross (from St. 
Andrew, the patron Saint of the Church) between four 
Castles,—are said to have been derived, and the coinci¬ 
dence in form between the four Castles, on the old 
seals of the Borough as engraved on page, 575 and 











THE CASTLE AND WALLS. 


649 


those on the old chart of the haven, etc., at the time of 
Henry A III. here engraved, is particularly striking. 



The Castle has disappeared many years, and only some 
very slight remains are to he seen at the present day. 
Its locality, however, is perpetuated in the name of 
Castle-street. The Barbican, shown in the engraving, 
had a Fort on one side, and a strong wall on the other, 
and from one to the other of these, as Bisdon 
says, u it was chained over when need requireth”—■ 
the chain is shown in the sketch. The other 
fortifications at the time of the making of the 
the chart appear to have been a wall with towers and 
other strong work, studded with cannons, along the 
sea-front of the Hoe; and a platform, or breast-work, on 
the summit of the Hoe, seaward of St. Catherine’s 
Chapel. These will be seen on our facsimile plate of 
the chart. 

At the time of the siege of Plymouth, in 1643, the 
town appears, from the curious plan of which we give 
a facsimile, to have been strongly fortified; the walls 
commencing at the castle (whose four towers are 
marked) and running round, and enclosing, the whole 

































650 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


of the borough; that side, next the Hoe being of double 
strength. Starting from the castle, the names of the 
different points on the walls, as shown on the plan, 
are Spur, Drawbridge, St. George, Charles Forte, 
Terrour, Drawbridge, Spurr, Resolution Forte, Maiden¬ 
head, and Eastgate. The outworks which were all 
triangular with ramparts and trenches to connect them 
together extended from Stonehouse by “ New-worke” 
at Eldad, “Pennicomequick,” “Mawdlyn” at North- 
hill, “Holiwell” near the present Workhouse, Lipson, 
and Lipson Mill Works, to the Laira, with other out¬ 
works at Prince Pock, Cattedown, Fisher’s Nose, and 
other places. 

The Gates in the town walls appear to have been 
several in number, but the last of these, (and indeed, 
with only a small exception, every trace of the old 
walls) has disappeared. Frankfort Gate, or as it is 
called on an old map “ West Gate,” stood where the 
Globe Hotel now stands but was taken down in 1783. 

The following inscription commemorating the taking 
down of this gate, is fixed to the wall of the Globe 
Hotel:— 

“ Near this place formerly stood Frankfort Gate, which, with others, formed the 
principal entrances into the Town, then enclosed by a wall, erected for the greater 
protection thereof, by the Mayor and Commonalty, ,under thelauthority of .the 
Charter of Henry the VI. But, in course of years, this mode of defence ceasing to 
be of any effect, the gate was taken down in 1783, and the streets and avenues ad¬ 
joining, considerably widened and improved. This tablet was put up by order of 
the Mayor and Commonalty, 4th of June, 1813." 

There was formerly a horse pond outside this gate, 
which was filled up, levelled, and planted with two 
rows of trees, in 1752. Friary Gate, which adjoined 
the White Friars (the locality still known as “the 
Friary”) was taken down in 1763, and on the 4th of 
June, 1813, a tablet commemorative of the fact was 



THE TOWN GATES. 


651 


put up by the Corporation in same manner as was 
done at Frankfort Gate. Old Town Gate or North 
Gate, at the head of Old Town-street was rebuilt in 



1759, and taken down in 1809. Of this gate we give 
an engraving, from a curious old painting. Through 
the archway the conduit is shown as is also the sail 
cloth factory. St. Martin’s Gate, in Briton-side, is 
said to have been removed in 1789. Gasking (or 
Gascoigne) Gate, in Gascoigne-street, was removed in 
1768; Coxside Gate, or “ East Gate,” “ which is to 
be shutte every night, ” was built in 1589, and 
removed in the early part of the present century; it 
stood near Jory’s Alms-houses. The Barbican Gate, 
or “South Gate,” as its name implies, stood at the 
Barbican just by the old Fort; it was built in 1602 and 
removed in 1830. The FIoe Gate, the last of its race, is 
shown in the engraving on the following page. It was 
built in the sixteenth century, and rebuilt about the 


























































































































652 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH 


middle of the seventeenth. In 1657 it was leased by 
the Corporation, and subsequently passed out of their 
hands. It ultimately came into the hands of Mr. T. W. 
Pox, who, it is much to be regretted, caused its destruc¬ 
tion in 1863—the materials being then sold by him by 



auction, despite strong expressions of public opinion to 
the contrary, for the paltry sum of forty-four pounds. 

At most of the old gates as well as in other parts of 
the town, Conduits formerly stood for the supplying 
of the inhabitants with water. Thus, at Old Town 
Gate, Martin’s Gate, and East Gate, Conduits were 
placed as well as at Foxhole Quay, on the Parade, 
Yauxhall-street, Notte-street, Bilbury-street, at the 


















































































THE DUCKING STOOL. 


653 


Shambles, Briton Side, and other places. On special 
occasions, some of these Conduits were made to run wine 
instead of water—a hogshead being emptied into them 
for that purpose. 

The conduit of Old Town Gate was quadrangular and 
bore on its front the Royal arms and those of Plymouth 
with inscription tablet; these are now built in the 
wall of the reservoir on the Tavistock road, and an 
inscription stating that it was erected in the mayoralty 
of Sir John Trelawny, in 1598, runs around its top. 
A portion of an inscription from another conduit—I 
believe that of St. Martins—is in possession of Dr. 

Stewart; it bears the words 
u Redigit” and u Drake” the 
remainder being lost. 

Not far from the Barbican, was 
formerly, a Ducking Stool, in 
which unruly women were 
u ducked ” in the Pool. This 
instrument of obsolete punish¬ 
ment, which is here engraved, 
is still in existence, and be¬ 
longs at the present time to 
Dr. Stewart. It is much to 
be hoped that the learned 
doctor will present it to the 
town as the nucleus of a 
free museum. 

The Citadel, which through its formidable char¬ 
acter, and its commanding situation, took the place of 
the other fortifications, was planned in the middle of 


























654 


HISTOEY OF PLYMOUTH. 


the seventeenth century ; its entrance gateway, here 
engraved, bearing the date of 1670. It was built on 



the highest point of the Hoe, on the site, probably, of 
the old “platforms” named in the town records, and 
to it also, the Castle gave place. Since its first forma¬ 
tion considerable alterations and improvements, as well 
as additions, have been made, and it is now one of the 
most important and effective strongholds in the west. 

The Citadel is entered by crossing a drawbridge and 
then passing through a gateway shown in the engraving. 
Over the archway are the sculptured arms of Grenville, 
and on either side, between the pilasters are boldly 



































































































































































THE CITADEL. 


655 


carved military trophies; above these, on the next stage, 
are other more than equally fine trophies, and in the 
centre a niche, which formerly held a statue of King 
Charles II., but now holds a pile of cannon halls; above 
this are the Koyal Arms, with supporters, crest, mant¬ 
ling, etc., and these are again surmounted by two 
crowns on obelisks, and a central globe; and on the 
sides are respectively, a lion and a unicorn holding 
shields hearing the cross of St. George. On entering, 
to the front is a wide promenade, having to its right 
the Governor’s range, and to the left the guard-house; 
further still are the barracks, the orderly-rooms, the 
magazines, the chapel, and the other necessary buil¬ 
dings forming so important a stronghold; there is also 
a statue of King George II. Commencing at the 
left of the entrance gateway the principal features of 
the fortifications are the Prince of Wales’s curtain; 
William’s range; Prince of Wales’s bastion, in which is 
the tennis court; Prince Edward’s curtain, with range 
of barracks ; Prince Edward’s battery; the mess room; 
Prince Henry’s demi-bastion, with swivel rifled-ord- 
nance of the finest construction; the ramparts; Cumber¬ 
land battery; the tiers of fortifications down to the 
sea-side; old saluting battery; King Charles’ curtain ; 
King Charles’ battery ; King George’s curtain; King 
George’s bastion; and the Prince of Wales’s curtain. 
Of late years many alterations and improvements have 
been made in the Citadel and its strength and useful¬ 
ness much increased. Of the garrison chapel some 
account has been given on a previous page. 

The present Defences of Plymouth have for their 
object the protection of the Dockyard and Steam Pit- 


656 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


ting-yard of Devonport, so tliat our fleet might fit out in 
safety, and in case of an unsuccessful engagement might 
run in to the Hamoaze securely and refit; they have 
also for their object an entrenched camp for our armies, 
so that an enemy landing anywhere in the west would 
hesitate to march on for London or to leave Plymouth 
in his rear without first endeavouring to take it. 

The Defences therefore consist of land and sea 
works, and these again of outer and inner lines. The 
land Defences being supplemented by an army lying 
within the outer works, the sea Defences being supple¬ 
mented by a carefully designed system of submarine 
mines and by the assistance of such floating batteries 
and fire-boats as might be available for the harbour 
defence. 

It will not be necessary to enter into a detailed des¬ 
cription of the land defences and works which consist 
generally as follows:— 

Inner Line . The town of Devonport is surrounded 
by a bastioned enciente , which though in itself insuffi¬ 
cient to protect the Dockyard, on account of its 
proximity, would, nevertheless, serve as an interior 
retrenchment for a garrison to defend to the last, 
after the army had been beaten and the Outer Line 
had been broken through and captured. Plymouth 
Citadel, a bastioned work, detached and complete in 
itself, though as old as the time of Charles II., might 
still prove very useful in a similar way to hold out to 
the last. The Citadel which, as has been stated, is 
situated at the east end of the Hoe, on high ground, 
commands the Sound, and so forms part of the Sea 


THE DEFENCES OF PLYMOUTH. 


657 


i 

Defences, and it has a good command over the town 
of Plymouth. 

Outer Line. This consists of a series of detached 
forts on the German system, i.e., the ditches are 
Hanked in themselves by Capiniers or counterscarp 
galleries, and the ramparts do not necessarily follow the 
lines of the ditches. They are placed at about 3 miles 
from the town of Plymouth, though some are at a 
much greater distance, and extend from Tregantle on 
the sea at Whitsand Bay, right round the three towns 
to Boyisand on the east side of the Sound. These 
works can easily he connected by parapet and ditch, at 
any time, on very short notice by the army, or even 
the garrison inside, should such a course be thought 
necessary or desirable. The first part of this line 
takes up the position between the sea and the river 
Lynher, and two very large forts, Tregantle on the 
sea, and Scraesdon, at Antony, on the Lynher, occupy 
the position in very commanding situations. The 
next portion of the Outer Line of Land Defences, 
which should occupy the ground between the Lynher 
and Saltash, and defend the Albert Eailway Bridge, for 
want of money, has not been executed, and as this is 
the most vulnerable point, the omission is the more 
important. The Royal Engineers propose to place 
these forts in advance of Saltash, taking up the line 
opposite Scraesdon on the Lynher and extending to 
above Saltash on the Tamar, with a strong tete de pout 
at the Albert Bridge, and it is needless to say that 
unless Parliament see fit to grant the money, the huge 
expenditure in the Land Defence of Plymouth is lost 

to the country, for with the break in the line at Saltash, 

y —.2 





658 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


the most vulnerable point, the other land works are 
useless, no line being stronger than its weakest point. 
On the other side of the Tamar where strong 
Garrisons would lie in Devonport and Plymouth and 
would be backed by the inhabitants, the position is 
occupied by a series of smaller Ports, extending from 
Ernsettle, above the Albert Bridge, to Crown Hill 
Port, a very large work, the most advanced in the 
north of Plymouth, and occupying a most command¬ 
ing situation, flanking the line on either side. Beside 
the interior flank defence of ditches by Capiniers, the 
works flank one another, and take up the ground 
between. Prom Crown Hill Fort there is another 
series of Forts, extending to the river Plym or Laira, 
on the east side of Plymouth, where Port Efford, a 
large work on most favourable ground, looks frown- 
ingly down, like a second Ehrenbreitstein, on the town, 
the railway, and the high road to London. The Laira 
itself carries the defence down to Turnchapel, though 
money is still wanted for a tete depont at Laira Bridge. 
Just above Turnchapel, on the side of the river 
opposite Plymouth, stands Port Stamford, with its 
gorge resting on the Laira, and having some guns 
looking out into the Sound, but mainly directed land¬ 
wards to oppose an enemy advancing from the east¬ 
ward ; above Stamford is the large work of Staddon, 
on the highest ground in the neighbourhood, capable 
of containing a large garrison and supplies, and com¬ 
manding all the country around ; the gorge resting on 
the Sound. Prom Staddcn a continuous line of ditch 
and rampart, broken by two or three open works, runs 
down to the Sea Defence of Bovisand Battery at the 


THE DEFENCES OF PLYMOUTH. 


659 


entrance of Plymouth Sound. 

The Sea Defences are also of two lines; an outer 
and an inner. 

Outer Line . To commence with the Outer Line.— 
This line consists of three main works, which defend 
the entrances to the Sound. The Breakwater, a mile 
long, forms the southern boundary of the Sound, which 
is entered by a deep water passage between the land 
and the Breakwater on either side. These passages 
are called respectively the East and West Pas¬ 
sages. The West Passage is defended by Picklecombe 
Battery on the land, and the Breakwater Fort, behind 
the centre of the Breakwater, supplemented by the 
fire that could be obtained by various smaller works 
on Maker Heights and behind Cawsand; the East 
Passage is defended by Bovisand Battery (already 
mentioned) on the land, and the Breakwater Fort 
again behind the centre of the Breakwater. 

These works are the most formidable that have yet 
been built. Picklecombe Battery is a treble tier of 
arched casemates, perfectly bomb proof; the lower tier 
is appropriated as magazines; the other two are for 
guns, with sleeping accommodation for the men in 
rear. The piers and arches are of the most massive 
granite masonry in the front, and brickwork in cement 
in rear, while the fronts of the casemates, between 
the piers and arches, are fitted with iron armour, 
through which the guns fire. There are 21 guns in 
each tier. The lower tier of guns, with the exception 
of two flank guns which look along the shore, are of 
10 inches calibre or 18 ton guns (450 pounders); the 
upper tier, with the exception also of two flank guns 


G60 HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 

are of 9 inches calibre, or 12 ton guns (300 pounders); 
the flank guns are 7 inches, or 7 ton guns. 

The shields are composed of three iron plates each 5 
inches thick, and having spaces of 5 inches between them, 
which spaces are filled with brickwork in asphalte; 
port holes are cut in the plates for the guns to fire 
through, and heavy iron frames are placed round the 
5 inch spaces where the port hole passes through 
them. The plates are backed by four massive beams, 5 
inches thick and 16 inches wide, with teak between 
them, which run from top to bottom of the shield. The 
whole is securely bolted together, by 3 inch bolts, with 
spherical nuts and coiled washers on Lieut. English’s 
principle. 

The Fort at Bovisand is similar, except that there is 
only one gun tier of casemates and there are 23 guns ; 
half 10 inch, or 18 tons, and half 9 inch, or 12 tons. 
The backing of the shields also is different, instead of 
large and long iron beams, there is an iron frame-work 
rivetted together and filled with Portland cement 
concrete. The magazine accommodation is in a series of 
casemates below the gun floor as at Picklecombe. 

The Breakwater Fort is situated at the centre, and 80 
yards from the Breakwater, and quite distinct from it. 
The foundation is in the Shovel Bock, 37 feet below 
low water level, and is built up solid to high water 
level; the difference of tides is about 15 feet, so the 
solid portion is 52 feet high. The plan of the Fort is 
an eclipse, whose major axis is 150 feet, and minor axis 
120 feet. The masonry of which these foundations are 
built is very massive; the external work is granite, in 
large blocks, and the internal work is composed of 


THE DEFENCES OF PLYMOUTH. 


GG1 


blocks of cement concrete, every block being laid by 
the diving-bell. 

At one foot above high water mark are the floors of 
the magazine, and the solid foundation ceases. The 
granite exterior wall is, however, carried up 18 feet 
thick all round, and the magazines are well arched 
over and made bomb proof. At the level of the top of 
the magazine, which is 16 feet above high water mark, 
is the gun floor, and here the Fort differs from any pre¬ 
viously constructed, for the wall of the gun floor is 
formed entirely of iron armour and backing, through 
which the guns fire. The iron wall is composed of one 
thickness of 5-inch iron plates, then 6 inches of concrete, 
next two thicknesses of 5-inch planks, then one inch 
of iron concrete, and, finally, the backing consisting of 
iron beams and teak, 12 inches deep and 5 inches wide, 
placed alternately all round, except where the port¬ 
holes occur, and here an extra 5-inch iron plate is 
placed above and below the port to compensate for 
the backing, which necessarily must be there omitted. 
The iron wall is on a batter of 1 in 11, and, standing 
on a base plate, leans at the top against a stronger plate 
attached to girders radiating from the centre of the 
Fort; these girders being themselves supported by 
transverse girders, the ends of which at the front rest on 
hollow iron piers, filled with concrete between the parts 
and at the rear in the masonry pier of the casement 
where the men live. Arches are turned between 
the girders, over arch plates, and concrete filled 
in over the arches to make them bomb proof, 
and the whole is asphalted over to exclude the 
wet. The port holes are the smallest that can be 


662 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


made, being for muzzle pivoting guns. The guns are 10 
inch, or 18 tons, and there are 18 of them, the Fort 
having a fire all round. Over the tier of 18 ton guns 
two turrets will be fixed, each containing two 25 ton 
guns, or 600 pounders. 

These three forts forming the outer line, have iron 
armour, which cannot be penetrated by any projectile 
or gun as yet invented or designed, while the guns 
they carry, can, with the greatest possible ease, pierce 
the armour of any ship as yet constructed. 

The Inner Line consists of a casemated battery, similar 
to Bovisand, for nine inch guns, on Drake’s Island, to 
act against any ship rounding into the Channel, and to 
support the outer line; there is also a very powerful 
open earthwork on the top of Drake’s Island, armed 
with five 25 ton guns, 600 pounders, en barbette , 
which would command the Sound inside the breakwater. 
The Channel between Drake’s Island and Stonehouse 
is enfiladed by a battery, with iron shields, in Mount Edg- 
cumbe, while it receives direct fire from the Eastern 
and Western King’s Kedoubts and the Citadel. The 
iron shields for the Inner Line are not yet provided. 
Every preparation has been made for laying down sub¬ 
marine mines, at a day’s notice, in all the channels and 
passages; the mines are composed of gun cotton and 
are fired by electricity through cables. 

The Works about Plymouth have been generally 
directed at the War Office, and carried out in their 
details by the following Boyal Engineer Officers. 

North and North-east) Major Cox and Major 


Land Defences 

Staddon Line and 
Bovisand Battery. 



Fowler. 


THE HOE 


663 


Capt. Vetch and Capt. Tracy. 


Breakwater Fort and 
Picklecombe. 

The Hoe, of which notices have already been given, 
is a lofty eminence overlooking the whole of the 



Sound on the one side, and the town and surrounding 
country on the other. It is converted into public grounds 
for the free and unrestricted use, day and night, of the 
inhabitants, and forms one of the most delightful and 
inviting, and at the same time invigorating and 
healthful, promenades in the kingdom. The Hoe is 
covered with soft closely-cut grass, and laid out in 
paths, with shrubbries on its town side and beneath 
the cliffs; and along its centre, running in a line from 
the Citadel on the one hand, to West Hoe on the 
other, is a broad gravelled promenade, where the 
townspeople and visitors, in fine weather, assemble in 
thousands to enjoy the sea breeze and the splendid 
scene around them. On the East side of the Hoe 


























664 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


a public carriage drive is formed from the town at 
Saltram Place, down to the cliffs and so along by the 
sea to West Hoe Terrace andMillbay; and on the 
sea-side of the cliffs, winding paths and flights of 
steps, with innumerable alcoves, recesses, and seats are 
provided for the comfort of the public. Public 
bathing places, both for ladies and for gentlemen, are 
constructed below the Hoe, but there are no bathing 
machines or conveniences of any kind to induce 
visitors to come to the town for sea-bathing. Baths, 
now closed, were, a few years ago, erected at West 
Hoe, and it would be very desirable near this spot to 
form a good bathing place, and so give Plymouth the 
advantage of becoming a watering place. A project 
has recently been set on foot for the erection of a prom¬ 
enade pier under the Hoe, and, no doubt, this would 
add much to its attractiveness to visitors, and give the 
town advantages it does not now possess. 

Pew towns on the English coasts possess so fine and 
so attractive a promenade, or so magnificent and 
elevated a plot of open public ground as Plymouth 
does in its Hoe ; and few towns could have done more, 
of late years, towards improving its features and ren¬ 
dering it attractive than it has. Much, however, 
yet remains to be done before it is all that can be 
desired for the convenience of the inhabitants and the 
comfort and pleasure of the visitor. Of these the 
forming of a commodious bathing place and the estab¬ 
lishment of machines, as has just been said, would 
be one of the most important, and doubtless will, ere 
long, be effected. The want of sea bathing naturally 
deters visitors from remaining more than a few days 


THE BREAKWATER. 


665 


in the town, and drives them to other places where it 
can be had, and where they take np their abodes for a 
more extended period. 

St. Nicholas, or Drake’s Island, in the Sound, on 
which formerly, as has been shown, existed a chapel, 
was two centuries ago fortified, and these fortifications 
have, of late years, been very considerably increased 
strengthened and improved—its guns commanding 
every surrounding point. The island is connected by 
a sub-marine ridge of rock, called “The Bridge,” with 
the main land at Mount Edgcumbe, so that the 
passage on that side is dangerous for any but small 
craft; larger vessels having to make the circuit of the 
eastern end of the island. The landing place is oppo¬ 
site the landing place under the Hoe, and is vaulted 
and well sheltered by cannon. 

The Breakwater. This stupendous piece of work, 
one of the most gigantic, and certainly the most sub¬ 
stantial and effective, erections of its kind, is situated 
in the Sound, in a line between Bovisand Bay, on the 
east, and Cawsand Bay, on the west, 'and it is about 

three miles from PIvmouth. The construction of the 

%/ 

Breakwater for the shipping was first suggested by 
Admiral Earl St. Vincent, in 1806, and surveys of 
the sound were in those years made by Mr. Bennie and 
Mr. Whidbey, who recommended the forming of a 
detached mole, or embankment, on the Shovel and San 
Carlos Bocks, with shore projections, to be from time 
to time lengthened. In 1811, fresh schemes were pro¬ 
pounded, but the original scheme was determined to 
be carried out. The depth of the water over the rocks 
or shoals spoken of, was found to vary from eight to 



666 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


ten fathoms, and it was proposed to raise upon them a 
solid structure, rising ten feet above low water mark, 
and to make it thirty feet in width on the surface, with 
a base width of about 210 feet. This it was proposed 
to effect by sinking rough masses of stone, as torn 
from the quarry in masses of from half a ton to ten 
tons each, with a large quantity of rubble and smaller 
stones, and it was correctly calculated that these would 
naturally find there proper position and angle by the 
force of the water and their own specific gravity, and 
would grout themselves together into a solid mass. 
Upon this plan the works were commenced and 
carried out; a large quarry for the purpose of supply¬ 
ing the material—now universally known as u Break¬ 
water Marble ”—being opened at Oreston. In 1812, 
wharves were built, rails laid down, and vessels and 
machinery provided, and the line of the intended works 
marked out on the surface of the sea, by mooring 
chains and buoys. The first stone was laid on 
the 12th of August, 1812 (the Prince Begent’s 
birthday), and the work fairly commenced in 
the centre of the proposed line. The trucks were 
laden at the quarry, taken down to the wharf, 
and at the same time run on board the vessels, which 
were fitted with lines of rails for the purpose, and had 
windlasses for raising the loaded trucks and tilting 
platforms for discharging the loads. By the end of 
the first year, no less than 43,789 tons of stone had 
been thrown in, and here and there the blocks were 
perceivable above the water; and it was shortly 
afterwards determined to make the height twenty, 
instead of ten feet above low water mark. In 1817, a 




THE BREAKWATER. 


667 


considerable part of the erection was displaced by a 
violent gale, the slope being by its force altered from 
one in three, as intended by the engineers, to one in 
five, and the whole much consolidated and improved. 
Despite this strong warning and practical lesson, 
however, the authorities continued to build on in their 
own idea, of aslope of one in three, until 1824, when 
another terrific gale occurred, which displaced the 
greater part of the work, and again asserted, even more 
significantly than before, its right to a slope of one in 
five. This time the engineers were satisfied that their 
theory was wrong, and they left the slope as the sea 
and the storm had fixed it, and removed the centre 
thirty-six feet nearer shore; and from that day to this, 
the stupendous work has remained u firm as a rock,’ 7 
and is likely to endure for countless ages. 

The form of the Breakwater is a line of three 



thousand feet in length, with an arm at each end, 
kanting oft at an angle of 120 degrees towards the 





























































668 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


shore, to the length of one thousand and fifty each 
—thus making in all an immense harrier of consider¬ 
ably more than a mile in length. It is calculated that 
considerably over four millions of tons of stone were 
used in the rough forming of the barrier, in addition 
to nearly three millions of granite, etc., used for 
facing and paving the surface; the cost of the former 
being at the rate of about Is. 10d., and of the latter 
about 2s. 8d., per foot. The largest number of 
workmen employed at any one time in its erection, is 
stated to have been 765 ; and its entire cost has been 
considerably over a million and a half sterling. 

At the west end of the Breakwater is a beautifully 
constructed and admirable Lighthouse, containing oil 
room, store room, dwelling and sleeping apartments, 
and watch room, and surmounted by a magnificent 
lantern of the best construction; its lights being red 
to seaward, and white from anchorage ground. At 
the east end is a Beacon, and in the centre, as well as 
at the west end, a landing place. The surface is 
composed of massive square blocks of granite, firmly 
embedded and fastened together, and forming a fine 
promenade. On one of these blocks of granite is cut 
the inscription “Prince Wm. Henry Duke of Clarence, 
Duchess of Clarence, July 17th, 1827,” commemorative 
of the visit of these illustrious persons to the break¬ 
water works. 

In the centre of the breakwater, but at some distance 
from it on its inner or shore side, an artificial island 
has been recently formed, upon which is built a circular 
fortress, called the “Breakwater Fort/’ strongly armed 
with Armstrong guns, and forming the best and most 


THE EDDYSTONE LIGHTHOUSE. 


669 


important work of its kind in the kingdom. The 
position of this fort, already described while speaking 
of the fortifications of Plymouth, is indicated in our 
engraving. 

Between the shore and the eastern end of the 
breakwater, a clear passage, a mile in width, is left for 
shipping, and at the opposite end is a similar passage, 
of greater width; and the area of water enclosed 
by it, is about 2,000 acres. Opposite its west 
end, at Mount Edgcumbe, is a grand fortress 
“ Picklecombe Port,” and opposite its east, orBovisand 
end, is another admirable fort, so that with the other 
strongholds which have been fortified, the Sound is 
well secured, and the approach of an enemy to the towns 
of Plymouth and Devonport, with the Dockyard and the 
shipping in Hamoaze, rendered perfectly impossible. 

The Eddystone Lighthouse lies about fourteen 
miles from Plymouth, and its light may be distinctly 
seen with the naked eye, in a direct line over the west 
end of the Breakwater from the Hoe. The first 
lighthouse erected on the Eddystone rocks was built 
by Mr. Henry Winstanley, of Littlebury, in Essex, a 
London mercer, who commenced his useful work in 
1696, and completed it in 1700. This remarkable 
building, which was of stone and wood, and deficient 
in every element of stability, although recased to the 
thickness of four feet, and raised in height to 100 
feet, was of polygonal form, which rendered it pecu¬ 
liarly liable to be swept away by the waves in any 
tempest, from whatever quarter it might arise; whilst 
its peculiar form at the top, with overhanging roofs 
and cornices and other projections, and cranes, vanes 



670 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


and other appliances, rendered it a fit object for the 
fury of the wind to play against. In form, it was 
much like a Chinese Pagoda, and was gaudily painted 
outside with representations of suns and compasses 
and other devices, and with mottoes of various kinds, 
such as u Post tenebras Lux” u Pax in Bello” u Glory 
be to God” etc. In the interior the fittings were 
lavishly ornamented; there was a kitchen, with all 
necessary convenience and accommodation for keepers; 
a state-room, splendidly carved and gilded; a noble bed¬ 
room, also finely gilded and painted; and at the top 
were large wooden candlesticks, etc. So certain of 
the strength of this fantastic erection was its builder, 
that he openly expressed a wish that he might he in 
it during the greatest storm that ever blew under the 
face of heaven, to see its effect and to shew that those who 
had remonstrated with him on its construction were 
wrong. This almost impious wish was fearfully ful¬ 
filled, for, having gone to the lighthouse in November 
1703, the “ Great Storm,” as it is called, which passed 
over the country, carrying with it death and devasta¬ 
tion in every direction, arose, and lighthouse and 
occupants were swept together into the sea. Winstanley 
thus lost his life, and not a vestige of him, or of his build¬ 
ing, or of those with him, remained, with the excep¬ 
tion of a piece of chain which the fury of the waves 
had firmly wedged into a cleft in the rock. 

In July, 1706, the second lighthouse on the Eddy- 
stone rocks was commenced, and was completed in 
1709. It was constructed by Mr. John Rudyerd, a 
silk mercer, of Ludgate Hill, London, a member of the 
old Staffordshire family, of Rudyerd of Rudyerd in that 


THE EDDYSTONE LIGHTHOUSE 


671 


county. He saw the errors into which Winstanley 
had fallen, and endeavoured to avoid them. Instead 
of a polygon he choose a circle as the outline of his 
building; and in place of stone, except interposed 
strata of moor-stone above the base, he constructed 
it entirely of wood; its extreme height being 92 feet. 
The first and temporary light was exhibited on the 28th 
July, 1708, and the whole of Budyerd’s plans and 
calculations were proved to have been correct. Years 
passed on, storms arose, the waves dashed over and 
around it wildly, but it remained firm and unshaken, 
even through the dreadful tempest of 1744. What 
wind and water could not do was, however, soon 
after fearfully accomplished by fire—the lighthouse 
being burned down in 1755. On the morning 
of the 2nd of December, in that year, at about 
2 o’clock, the light-keeper then on watch, went 
into the lantern, as usual, to snuff the candles, when he 
found it full of smoke, and on opening the door into the 
balcony, a flame at once burst forth. His companions 
being asleep in bed, it was some time before he could 
obtain assistance, and then their united efforts in 
bringing up water from the sea were of no avail, for 
the upper man had to endeavour to throw each bucket 
full about four yards higher than his own head—a 
feat, even in time of such imminent danger, not easily 
accomplished. While standing thus, looking upwards 
to watch the effect of the water he had thrown, a 
quantity of melted lead fell upon this man, Henry 
Hall, by name, which covered his head, face, and 
shoulders, as well as his clothes, and burned him 
frightfully—but not only this—a quantity of the 



672 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


molten metal, falling into his open month, ran down his 
throat, and made its way into his stomach, producing 
an intense internal burning sensation. The men were 
thus compelled to retreat to the lower rooms, and so 
downwards, from room to room, until at length they 
had to take refuge in a hole in the rocks. Early next 
morning the Lighthouse was discovered to be on tire, 
by some Cawsand fishermen, who immediately pro¬ 
ceeded to the spot, and after much difficulty, succeeded 
in bringing off the wretched men, and landing them 
at Plymouth. * Here the moment he set foot on land, 
one of the terror stricken men, who had evidently lost 
his reason through fright, ran off, and no tidings were 
ever afterwards heard of him. The poor man, Henry 
Hall, who was 94 years of age, lingered some days, 
when he died, and after his death, a mass of lead, 
weighing nearly half-a-pound, was taken from his 
stomach. Of this singular circumstance, the following 
account was sent to the Eoyal Society by Mr. Spry, 
who attended him :—■ 

“ On the 4th of December, 1755, at 3 in the afternoon, Henry Hall, of East-Stone- 
house, near Plymouth, aged 94 years, of a good constitution,‘and extremely active 
for one of that age, being one of the three unfortunate men, who suffered by the 
fire of the Lighthouse at Ecldy-stone, nine miles from Plymouth, having been greatly 
hurt by that accident, with much difficulty returned to his own house, I being sent 
for to his assistance found him in his bed, complaining of extreme pains all over his 
Lody ; especially in his left side, below the short ribs, in the breast, mouth and 
throat. He said likewise, as well as he could, with a hoarse voice, scarce to be 
heard, that melted lead had run down his throat into his body.” 

“Having taken the proper care of his right leg, which was much bruised and cut on 
the tibia, I examined his body, and found it all covered with livid spots and blisters; 
and the left side of the head and face, with the eye, extremely burnt; which having 
washed with linnen dipt in an emollient fomentation, and having applied things 
used in cases of burning, I then inspected his throat, the root of his tongue, and 
the parts contiguous, as the uvula, tonsils, &c., which were greatly scorched by the 
melted lead. Upon this I ordered him to drink frequently of water-gruel or some 
such draught; and returning to my own house, sent him the oily mixture, of which 
he took often 2 or 3 spoonfuls.” 

“ The next day he was much worse, all the symptoms of his case being heightened, 
with a weak pulse ; and he could scarce swallow at all.” 



/ 


THE EDDYSTONE LIGHTHOUSE. 


673 


“The day following there was no change, except that, on account of his too great 
costiveneness, he took six drachms of manna dissolved in an ounce and half of 
nfusion of senna, which had no effect till the day following ; When just as a 
•clyster was going to be administred. he had a very foetid discharge by a stool.” 

“ That day he wa< better till night, when he grew very feverish.” 

“ The next day, having slept well the preceding night, and thrown up by 
coughing a little matter, he was much better.” 

“ He began now to speak with less difficulty, and for three or four days to re¬ 
cover gradually ; but then suddenly grew worse ; his pulse being very weak: his side, 
which grew worse daily from the first, now reddened a little and swelled ; to which 
I applied the emplaster of gums. But all methods proved ineffectual, for the next 
day being seiz’d with cold sweats and spasms in the tendons, he soon expired.” 

“ Examining the body, and making an incision thro’ the left abdomen, I found 
the diaphragmatic upper mouth of the stomach greatly inflamed and ulcerated, 
and the tunica in the lower part of the stomach burnt; and from the great cavity 
of it took out a piece of lead of the shape and weight here described.” 



■** The exact Figure of the Lead, which weigh ed 7 Ounces, 5 Drachms, and 18 Grains." 

“ It will perhaps be thought difficult to explain the manner, by which the lead 
entered the stomach. But the account, which the deceased gave me and others, 
was, that as he was endeavouring to extinguish the flames which were at a consider¬ 
able height over his head, the lead of the lanthorn being melted, dropped down 
before he was aware of it, with great force into his mouth, then lifted up and open 
•and that in such a quantity, as to cover not only his face, but all his cloths.” 

“ Some gentlemen of the faculty imagining that the degree of heat in 
melted lead w r as too great to be borne in the stomach, without immediate death, 
or at least much more sudden than happened in this case, and thence doubting of 
the truth of the above narrative, Mr. Sjjry made experiments in the sight of many 
creditable witnesses, to evince the obsolute possibility of his assertion, by pouring 
down melted lead, in considerable quantities, into the stomachs of living dogs and 
fowls, some of which not only survived, and eat heartily afterwards, but absolutely 
recovered of the injury; and others he opened, and showed the consolidated 
lead in their stomachs- At the time of writing his last account, Mr. Spry had a 
dog with lead in his stomach, which he intended to keep, to prove how long he 
might live.” 

Thus ended the second lighthouse—an edifice of 
excellent construction, and built with much skill; 
and one that, but for the fire, might have stood for 

w 


v 



674 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH 


years against the raging of the waves and tempest. 
At the time of its building, Louis XIV. was at war 
with England, and a French privateer took the men at 
work on the rock and carried them off as prisoners. 
When Louis heard of it he immediately ordered them 
to be set at liberty and their captors to be put in their 
place, declaring that, though at enmity with England, 
he was not at war with mankind. The men were 
brought back and at once resumed their work. 



The third, and present Lighthouse, was commenced 
building in August, 1 / 56, and on the 1st of June, 
ILj 7, the first stone was laid. Mr. John Smeaton, for 
an account of whom, see page 369, was the architect 
this splendid erection. Taking nature, in her pro¬ 
vision against wind and storm, in the form of the trunk 
<T the oak tree, as his model, and planning a system of 

















































THE EDDYSTONE LIGHTHOUSE. 


675 



dovetailing his blocks of stone together, and also of 
dovetailing the lower courses into the solid rock itself, 
so as to form, as it were, roots to his gigantic stone 
tree, Smeaton commenced his great work, cutting each 
stone to its proper shape, and fitting them together in 
a workyard, at Millbay. The foundations were com¬ 
menced on the 6th of August; granite being adopted 
for the exterior casing, and Portland stone for the 
internal parts. In the following June, the windlasses, 
etc. were fixed, and the first stone laid, and in 
September, the first entire circular course was set. 
The entire stone-work was completed on the 23rd of 
August, 1759. and on the 12tli of October, the light 
first burned in the lantern and has, without intermission, 
sent forth its cheering and warning light every night 
for one hundred and thirteen years. The storms of 
1762 and 1817, which would have washed away any 
ordinary erection, left the Eddystone unscathed, and it 
is as firm at the present day as when he left it. The 
plan of dovetailing, by which Smeaton sought success¬ 
fully to engraft 
the structure 

l 

upon the rock 
and to make it, 
in fact, a part 
of the rock itself 
will he best un¬ 
derstood by the 
accomp anying 
engravings. The 

first shows the face of the rock as dovetailed down its 





676 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


sloping side for tlie first courses to be fitted into. Tlie 



second shows the system of dovetailing when the 
structure had reached its twenty-third course—the 
faint lines showing the positions of the stones of the 
next, or twenty-fourth course. The third shows the 
system when the building had reached its twenty-ninth 
course. The lantern is octagonal, and of copper, and 
is set in grooves in the stone, firmly fastened with 
lead and with bars of iron. 

This building, which has given to the name of 
Smeaton an imperishable fame, bears round the upper 
store-room the truly appropriate inscription “ Except 
the Lord build the House they labour in vain that 
build it.— Psalm cxxvii,” and on the last stone set 
up, being that over the door of the lantern on the east 
side, “ 24tli Aug., 1759. Laus I)eoA The entire time 
actually occupied in building was 111 days and 10 
hours; there being in the three years which were 
occupied over the work, a considerable time when no 
operations could possibly be carried on upon the rock. 

The Eddy stone Lighthouse, it is well to record, was 
dopted as a background of the figure of Britannia, 






MOUNT BATTEN. 


677 


on the reverses of the copper coinage of this country, 
by George II., and has so remained to the present day. 
Thus Plymouth is commemorated on every penny, 
halfpenny,, or farthing of the bronze coinage, in 
common daily use, by every individual in the kingdom. 

Mount Batten is a bold rocky promontory, projecting 
into the Sound, at the entrance to Cattewater. About 
seven-eights of this neck of land are surrounded by 
water, and, from its summit, some of the most charming 
views of the neighbourhood—embracing both sea 
and land—are obtained. The Town on one hand, with its 
shipping, its Citadel, and other attractions; on another, 
the open fields on Staddon Heights; on another 
Cattewater and the Laira; and on the South, the 
Sound, with Drake’s Island and the wooded heights of 
Mount Edgcumbe, are all full of beauty and of 
interest. On the summit of the Mount is a 
fine old Martello tower, built in the reign of Charles 
II., on the site of a fort thrown up for defence of the 
town during the u Siege of Plymouth.” This tower, 
which is circular in form, and is built of the limestone 
of the district, is two floors in height, the upper having 
a vaulted roof. It has embrasures for ten guns, and 
in 1717, was mounted with six pieces of ordnance; 
eight others lying in the bay, near at hand. On one 
side is an arched doorway, surmounted by a well 
designed and boldly executed piece of sculpture, 
bearing the arms of Plymouth, surrounded by the 
characteristic ornament of the period. 

On Mount Batten, several Celtic coins have at one 
time or other been discovered, as detailed in the early 
part of this volume. * The principal discovery was made 


* See page 8. 




078 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


in 1832, in the process of quarrying, when they were 
found in the head-soil. At this time, five gold, and 
eight silver coins were discovered, and a short account 
of them was given in the Archceologia. Since then 
others have been discovered, several of which are now 
in my own cabinet. Among these is the fine gold coin, 



here engraved. It has one side plain and convex, 
and the other, which is concave, bears a horse 
galloping, to the right, above the back of which is 
a reversed crescent and a horse-slioe shaped figure, ter¬ 
minated with pellets derived from the arms of victory, 
and pellets, etc., and over its head are a crescent and 
an annulet, while beneath is a pellet. Among the 
others in my possession, are the bronze coins here 
engraved. Some of these, especially the first two, 



bearing on one side the usual horse, and on the 
other, the rude copy of a laureated bust, are highly 
interesting. The others, also here re-introduced, are 
equally curious and interesting, and are in a fine 
state of preservation. The finding of these coins 









MOUNT BATTEN. 


679 


shows that Mount Batten, now rapidly disappearing 
through the constant quarrying which is carried on, 





was inhabited by the Ancient Britons, who doubtless 
found it a valuable stronghold. 

At present, Mount Batten forms an admirable and 
valuable shelter for the shipping in Cattewater, by pro¬ 
tecting the vessels from the Southerly gales. It is much 
to be feared however that in process of time, as the 
elevation is removed by quarrying, that an injurious 
effect will be felt on the shipping, and that the mer¬ 
cantile interests will regret the removal of this natural 
barrier. 

Near this is Turnchapel, a small village lying on 
the banks of Cattewater, at which vessels of tolerably 
large size were formerly built. Here, in 1810, the 












680 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


Armada , 74 guns, was launched, as was also at a later 
date, the Clarence , likewise of 74 guns. Not far from 
Turnchapel is Hooe Lake, on the banks of which lies 
the picturesque and charming little village of ILooe, a 
favourite resort of parties from Plymouth, during the 
summer fruit season. Higher up Cattewater is Oreston 
with its famous quarries. From these quarries the 
whole of the stone used in the construction of the 
Breakwater was procured; the land, about twenty- 
five acres in extent, having been purchased by order 
of the Duke of Bedford for £10,000. The rocks are 
of beautifully veined limestone, of various colours, and 
so hard as to be capable of taking a very high polish. 
It is usually known as u Breakwater Marble,” and is 
much used for chimney pieces and other ornamental 
work. The pavements of many of the streets of 
Plymouth, are formed of this beautiful material, and 
have, especially in wet weather, a very striking effect. 

During the working of these cliffs in 1812, at the 
depth of sixty feet from the summit, and twenty-five 
from the margin of the sea, a cavity, or nodule of clay, 
was discovered about twenty-five feet in length, by 
twelve square, in the midst of which were found 
several bones of the rhinoceros, in a more perfect state, 
and containing less animal matter, than any fossil bones 
that have been dug out of rock or earth. Other bones 
of the wolf, hyaena, elephant, deer, cow, horse, etc., 
have also been found. The arrangements with train- 
ways, quays, cranes, and other appliances, for getting 
the stone for the Breakwater and for its transit, were 
on a gigantic, and at that time, remarkable scale. The 
quarries are still very extensively worked. 


















































































































































































































CHAPTER XV. 

MOUNT EDGCUMBE—THE HOUSE AND GROUNDS-THE 

GARDENS—THE FAMILY OF EDGCUMBE—CAWSAND—- 
MAKER-SALTRAM-THE HOUSE AND GROUNDS—COL¬ 
LECTION OF PICTURES-FAMILY OF PARKER, ETC. 

Standing on the Hoe at Plymouth with the grand 
expanse of the Sound in front and the Channel beyond, 
the spectator sees, to his right, the wooded heights of 
Mount Edgcnmhe, skirting the water from Hamoaze to 
Cawsand ; and in the distance, beyond Cattewater, 
those of Saltram, on his left. To these tAuo noble piles, 
and their equally noble owners, attention must briefly be 



called. The mansion at Mount Edgcumbe was built 




















































682 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


about 1550 , but has been so much altered since that 
time that its outward and inward character has been 
greatly changed. It is square in general form, and 
originally had a circular tower at each angle; these, 
however, have been rebuilt of octagonal form, and 
additions have been carried out in different directions. 
The principal internal feature is the Great Hall, in 
the centre of the building, which has a minstrel’s 
gallery, with an organ, and other attractions, and is a 
noble room; the remainder of the house is, as such 
a home ought to be, elegant but not stately, and 
designed more for substantial comfort than showy 
receptions. The front faces down a grassy slope to the 
sea, and thus has a charming prospect always before its 
windows; it forms a striking object from the mouth 
of the Tamar, as shown in our engraving. In the 
house are preserved several fine old paintings, includ¬ 
ing many family portraits, by Sir Joshua Reynolds, 
Sir Peter Lely, and others ; full-length portraits of 
Charles II., James II., Prince Rupert, and William 
III.; portraits of Charles I., the Duke of Monmouth, 
and many others ; and several valuable pictures by 
old masters. Among the latter ten or twelve Vander- 
veldes, grace the several apartments. Of these 
some are stated to have been painted by the artist at 
Mount Edgcumbe. Of one, which formed the subject of 
correspondence between Sir Richard Edgcumbe and the 
artist, the original and amended sketches hang beside 
the picture. The portraits by Sir Joshua Reynolds 
are of individuals of three generations, and those by 
Lely are in his best style. 

The grounds of Mount Edgcumbe, many miles in 






\ 





























































































































































































































































































MOUNT EBGCUMBE. 


683 


extent, are full of natural beauties, and these have, to 
some extent, been aided by art. Still, art has done 
but little, for it was here unnecessary to do much : 
this delicious peninsula has been so richly gifted by 
nature, that, perhaps, efforts to enhance its attractions 
might have lessened instead of augmenting them. 
Hill and dell, heights and hollows, pasture slopes and 
rugged hillocks, succeed each other with a delicious 
harmony rarely to be seen elsewhere. Everywhere 
Nature has had its own sweet will; even the laurel 
hedges have risen thirty feet in height; the lime trees 
grow as if they had never been trimmed; while the 
slopes, from the hill-heiglits to the sea-rocks, appear 
as sheen as if the scythe had been perpetually smooth¬ 
ing them. Here and there, pretty and pleasant 
shelters have been provided for visitors who throng 
hither for health and relaxation; “look-out” seats 
are provided on many of the hill-tops ; and the deer 
and the rabbits have free pasturage in the noble Park 
that occupies a space of many hundred acres between 
the harbour and the sea. The gardens are prettily 
laid out; enriched by rare trees, with vases and statues 
judiciously intermixed; and, especially, a grove of 
orange trees, with several summer-houses in pleasant 
nooks, where cedars, magnolias, cork trees, and 
other trees, supply shade and shelter from rain 
and sun. Art has here been aiding Nature, but 
its influence is felt rather than seen; those to 
whom the u grounds ” owe much seem to have 
been ever mindful that their profuse and natural 
luxuriance needed few checks of the pruner 
and trainer. The name of one of these benefactors is 


G84 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


recorded—-a votive urn contains a tablet to the memory 
of that countess u whose taste embellished the retreats, 
herself the brightest ornament ”—Countess Sophia, 
who could not have found on earth a home more 
lovely than that which, in 1806 , she was called to 
leave for one still more perfect and more beautiful. 

The great charm of Mount Edgcumbe, however, 
consists in the five-mile drive through the Park, along 
a road that everywhere skirts the harbour or the sea, 
It is perpetual hill and dell: a mimic ruin, intended 
as a view tower, and answering its purpose well, is 
the only object remarkable on the higher grounds, if 
we except Maker Church, which contains many inter¬ 
esting memorials of the Edgcumbe family ; but down 
in some of the dales, are pretty “ lodges,” where 
the keepers and gardeners reside, and where simple 
u refreshments ” of milk and hot water are provided 
for the crowds who visit the domain. One of 
these, u Lady Emma’s cottage” (Lady Emma being 
the first Countess of Mount Edgcumbe, wife of 
George, first Baron and Earl of that title), is 
charmingly situated in one of the most lovely 
of the dells of this domain, surrounded by soft grassy 
turf, and overhung by lofty trees; the cottage itself 
is completely embosomed in creeping plants, and has a 
rustic verandah exquisitely decorated with fir-cones 
and other natural productions, so disposed as to give 
considerable richness to the effect of the building. 
The little valley in which it stands, hollowed out with 
great regularity by nature, and sloping gently down 
towards the sea, is one of the sweetest spots on the 
whole estate. The footway winds round the upper 







✓ 

































































































































































MOUNT EDGCUMBE. 


685 


part of tlie valley, and at the head of the dell is a 
spacious alcove composed of Gothic fragments, called 
the “ Ruined Chapel,” from which a glorious view is 
obtained. 

In the grounds the most famous points for the 
attraction of visitors are “ Thomson’s Seat; ” the 
“Temple of Milton;” a recess, called the “Amphi¬ 
theatre;” a charming alcove, the “White Seat,’’ 
which commands a splendid prospect; “ The Arch,” 
which overlooks the Sound; and the “ Zig-Zag Walks,” 
which lead down along the cliffs and through the 
woods, and are the favourite resorts of visitors. 

The Gardens are three in number, and called re¬ 
spectively the “ Italian,” the “ French,” and the 
“English” gardens, in each of which the special 
chararteristics of planting and arrangement of those 
countries are carried out—the conservatories, fountains, 
orangeries, terraces, &c., being, in each instance, built 
in accordance with the tastes of the three kingdoms. 

Indeed, it is difficult to convey an idea of the 
grandeur, beauty, and interest of the views from 
every portion of the Park; they are perpetually 
varied as the eye turns from sea to shore, and from 
shore to sea; each one of them enhanced by ships at 
anchor or in full sail; while boats of all forms and 
sizes are continually passing to and fro. 

The family of Edgcumbe, to which this domain 
belongs, is one of the oldest in the County of Devon; 
-the name being derived from their original possession 
of Eggescomb, Edgcomb, or Edgcombe (now called 
Lower Edgcumbe), in the parish of Milton Abbots, in 
that county. From this family and this place, the 


686 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


noble family of the Earls of Mount Edgcumbe is 
descended as a younger branch. In 1292, Eichard 
Edgcumbe was Lord of Edgcumbe, in Milton Abbots, 
and he was direct ancestor, both of the present repre¬ 
sentative of the main line, who is twentieth in direct 
lineal descent, and of the present ennobled family, as 
well as of the branches settled in Kent and elsewhere. 
In the reign of Edward III., William de Eggescombe, 
or Edgcombe, second son of the House of Edgcumbe, 
having married Hilaria, sole daughter and heiress of 
William de Cothele, of Cothele, or Coteel, in the 
parish of Calstock, in Cornwall, a tine old Cornish 
family, became possessed of Cothele and the other 
estates, and removed into Cornwall. Here, at Cothele, 
he and his descendants resided for several generations. 
Eichard Edgcumbe, great grandson of William de 
Edgcumbe and Hilaria de Cotehele, is said to have 
built the greater part of the grand old residence of 
Cothele, as it remains at the present day. This 
Sir Eichard was, as Fuller says, “ memorable in his 
generation for being zealous in the cause of Henry, 
Earl of Eichmond, afterwards King Henry VII. He 
was, in the time of King Eichard III., so hotly 
pursued, and narrowly searched for, that he was 
forced to hide himself in his wood, at his house, in 
Cuttail, in Cornwall. Here extremity taught him a 
suddain policy, to put a stone in his capp and tumble 
the same into the water, whilst the rangers were fast 
at his heels, who, looking down after the ryoise, and 
seeing the capp swimming therein, supposed that hee 
had desperately drowned himself, and deluded by this 
honest fraud, gave over their further pursuit, leaving 


THE FAMILY OF EDGCUMBE. 


687 


him at liberty to shift over into Brittany. Nor was 
his gratitude less than his ingenuity, who, in remem¬ 
brance of his delivery, after his return built a chappel 
(which still remains) in the place where he lurked, 
and lived in great repute with prince and people.” 
After thus cleverly misleading his pursuers, Bichard 
Edgcumbe crossed the Channel in a small ship, to the 
Earl of Bichmond, in Brittany, with whom he after¬ 
wards returned to England, and was engaged in the 
battle of Bosworth Field, in Leicestershire, where 
King Bichard was killed. 

At Bosworth, Bichard Edgcumbe received the honour 
of knighthood from his victorious leader, Henry VII., 
was made comptroller of his household, and one of his 
Privy Council, and had the castle and lordship of 
Totnes, in Devonshire—forfeited to the crown on the 
attainder of John Lord Zouch for high treason—con¬ 
ferred upon him by that monarch, with many other 
honours and dignities, and large extents of land, 
including those of Sir Henry Bodrugan, who had 
likewise been attainted for high treason. He also 
held, as he had previously done, the offices of recorder 
and constable of the castle of Launceston, and constable 
of Hertford, etc. In 1488, Sir Bichard was sent into 
Ireland, as Lord Deputy, by his royal master, to take 
the oaths of allegiance of the Irish people, embarking 
at Mounts Bay in the Anne of Fowey , and attended by 
other ships, and a retinue of five hundred men. He 
died in 1489, at Morlaix, while holding the appoint¬ 
ment of ambassador to France. He married Joan, 
daughter of Thomas Tremaine of Collacombe, by whom 
he had issiu?. 




688 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


His son, Piers Edgcumbe, was sheriff of the county 
of Devon, 9th, 10th, and 13th Henry VII. and 2nd 
Henry VIII. a At the creation of Prince Arthur he 
was one of the twenty individuals who were made 
Ivnights of the Cross of St. Andrew.” He, with 
others, was “ appointed to review and array all men 
at arms, archers, and others, who were to accompany 
Sir Thomas D’Arcy in his expedition against the 
Moors and infidels.” He was one of the expedition 
into France, 5th Henry VIII., and for his distin¬ 
guished gallantry at the sieges of Tournay and 
Thurovenne, and at the battle of Spurs, he was 
created a knight-banneret. Sir Piers Edgcumbe was 
married twice: first to the daughter and heiress of 
Stephen Durnford, by his wife the heiress of Bame; 
and, second, to Katherine, daughter of Sir John St. 
John, and widow of Sir Griffith Ap Bys, by whom he 
had no issue. By the first of these marriages, Sir 
Piers Edgcumbe acquired the manors and estates of 
the Durnfords, including that of West Stonehouse 
(now Mount Edgcumbe). He had issue by her, 
three sons, Bichard, John, and James, and three 
daughters, Elizabeth, Jane, and Agnes (or Anne). 
Sir Piers Edgcumbe died in 1539, and was succeeded 
as heir by his eldest son, Bichard Edgcumbe, who was 
knighted in 1536. 

This Sir Bichard Edgcumbe built the present family 
mansion on a part of the estate which his father had 
acquired by marriage with the heiress of the Durnfords 
(who had inherited it from the ancient family of 
Stonehouse or Stenhouse), and gave to it the name of 
“ Mount Edgcumbe.” He was sheriff of Devon 35th 


T^HE EDGCUMBE FAMILY. 


689 


Henry Till, and 1st Queen Mary. He married first 
a daughter of Sir John Arundel, by whom he had no 
issue; and, second, Winifred Essex, and by her had, 
besides other issue, a son, Piers, or Peter, who 
succeeded him. Sir Richard Edgcumbe, who kept up 
a fine establishment, and at one time entertained at 
Mount Edgcumbe the English, Spanish, and Nether¬ 
lands admirals, died in 1561. Piers (or Peter) 
Edgcumbe, who was member of Parliament, and was 
also sheriff of Devon 9th Elizabeth, married Margaret 
daughter of Sir Andrew Lutterell, by whom he had 
five sons and four daughters, and was succeeded by 
his eldest son, Richard. Piers Edgcumbe died in 
1607, and on his tomb his honours are thus set 
forth:— 

u Lief Tenant to my Queen long Time, 

And often for my Shire a Knighte; 

My Merit did to Creddit clime, 

Still bidinge in my Callinge righte; 

Py Loyalty my Faith was tryede, 

Peacefull I liv’d, hopeful I diede.” 

His son, Sir Richard Edgcumbe, knighted by James 
I., was member of Parliament for Totnes, for Gram- 
pound, and for Bossiney; he married Mary, daughter 
and heiress of Sir Richard Coteele, or Cottle, of 
London, and by her, who died eighteen years before 
him, had issue, two sons, Piers and Richard, by the 
eldest of whom, Piers Edgcumbe, he was succeeded. 
This gentleman distinguished himself by his devotion 
to the royal cause; he “ was a master of languages 
and sciences, a lover of the. king and church, which he 

endeavoured to support in the time of the civil wars to 

w—2 


690 


HISTORY OP PLYMOUTH. 


the utmost of his power and fortune.” Sir Alexander 
Carew and Major Scawen, for holding communication 
with Piers Edgcumbe, who held a colonel’s commission 
in the king’s army, were beheaded. He married Mary, 
daughter of Sir John Glanvil, and died in 1660, being 
succeeded by his eldest son, Sir Eichard Edgcumbe, 
who had been knighted during his father’s lifetime. 
He was also a member of Parliament. He married 
Anne Montague, daughter of Edward, Earl of Sand¬ 
wich, by whom he had issue, two sons, Piers, who 
died young and unmarried, and Eichard; and six 
daughters. He died in 1688. 

To this time, for several generations, it will have 
been noticed, the inheritors of the estate alternated, in 
name, between Piers (or Peter) and Eichard. This 
succession of name was now broken by the death of 
Piers, the eldest son. Eichard Edgcumbe, soon after 
coming of age, was chosen M.P. for Cornwall, and 
continued to sit for various places until 1742. In 
1716 and 1720 he was one of the Lords Commissioners 
of the Treasury, and in 1724 was Yice-Treasurer, and 
Paymaster of the Taxes, etc. In 1742 he was created 
Baron Edocumbe of Mount Edgcumbe, and was after¬ 
wards made Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, 
one of the Privy Council, and Lord-Lieutenant of 
Cornwall. His lordship, by his wife Matilda, 
daughter of Sir Henry Furnese, had issue, three sons, 
Eichard, Henry (who died an infant), and George; he 
died in 1758, and was succeeded in his title and 
estates by his eldest son, Eichard (second Baron 
Edgcumbe), member of Parliament for various places, 
one of the Lords of the Admiralty, who was afterwards 


EARLS OF MOUNT EDGCUMBE. 


691 


appointed Comptroller of his Majesty’s Household. 
He was a man of great talent, and is thus spoken of 
by Horace Walpole in his u Boyal and Noble 
Authors : ”—“ His lordship’s skill as a draughtsman is 
said to have been such as might entitle him to a place 
in the u Anecdotes of English Painting,” u while the 
ease and harmony of his poetic compositions give him 
an authorised introduction here.”... a a man of fine 
parts, great knowledge, and original wit, who pos¬ 
sessed a light and easy vein of poetry; who was 
calculated by nature to serve the public, and to charm 
society; but who unhappily was a man of pleasure, 
and left his gay associates a most affecting example 
how health, fame, ambition, and everything that may 
be laudable in principle or practice, are drawn into, 
and absorbed by, that most destructive of all whirl¬ 
pools—gaming.” His lordship, dying unmarried in 
1761, was succeeded by his brother George as third 
baron. This nobleman who had sat in several 
parliaments, and held various public offices (among 
them the Lord-Lieutenancy of Cornwall), and was 
Yice-Admiral of the Blue, married Emma, only 
daughter and heiress of John Gilbert, Archbishop of 
York, by whom he had issue an only son, who 
succeeded him. His lordship was, on the 17th 
February, 1781, created, in addition to his title of 
Baron Edgcumbe, Viscount Mount Edgcumbe and 
Valletort; and in 1789 he was further advanced to 
the dignity of an earl, by the title of Earl of Mount 
Edgcumbe . Hying in 1795, he was succeeded by his 
only son, Bichard, as second earl, who also held the 
office of Lord-Lieutenant of Cornwall. This nobleman 


692 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


married Lady Sopliia Hobart, daughter of John, second! 
earl of Buckinghamshire, and by her had issue, two 
sons, Ernest Augustus, and George, and two daughters. 
His lordship died in 1839, and was succeeded by his 
eldest son, Ernest Augustus, as third earl, who (born 
in 1797) was Aide-de-Camp to the Queen, and Colonel 
of the Cornwall Militia. He married Caroline Augusta, 
daughter of Bear-Admiral Charles Feilding, who still 
survives him, and is an extra Lady of the Bedchamber 
to the Queen. By her his lordship had issue two 
sons: viz., William Henry and Charles Ernest, and 
two daughters, of whom Ernestine Emma Horatia is 
still living. The earl died in 1861, and was suc¬ 
ceeded by his eldest son as fourth earl. 

The present nobleman, William Henry, fourth earl 
of Mount Edgcumbe, the noble owner of Mount 
Edgcumbe and of the large estates concentrated in the 
family, was born in 1832. He was educated at 
Harrow, and at Christ Church, Oxford, where he 
became B.A. in 1856, and sat as M.P. for the borough 
of Plymouth from 1859 to 1861, when, by the death 
of his father, he entered the Upper House. His 
lordship is an extra Lord of the Bedchamber to H.B.H. 
the Prince of Wales; is Lieutenant-Colonel of the 2nd 
battalion and Captain Commandant of the 16tli corps of 
Devon Bide Volunteers; and is a Special Deputy War¬ 
den of the Stannaries, etc. He married in 1858 the 
Lady Katherine Elizabeth Hamilton, fourth daughter 
of the Duke of Abercorn, and has by her issue one 
son, Piers Alexander Hamilton, Viscount Valletort 
(born 1865), and three daughters, Victoria Frederica 
Caroline, Albertha Louisa Florence, and Edith 


SALTRAM. 


69'S 


Hilaria. The arms of the Earl of Mount Edgcumbe 
are, gules, on a bend, ermines , cottised, or, three hoars 
heads, argent ; crest, a hoar statant, argent, gorged 
with a wreath of oak, vert, fructed, or ; supporters 
two greyhounds, argent, gutte de poix, and gorged 
with collars, dovetailed, gules. 

Forward along the coast from Mount Edgcumbe is 
Cawsand, a noted fishing village, beautifully situated 
in a hay to which it gives its name, and forward still 
is Penlee Point, where a convenient alcove gives rest 
to the pedestrian while he enjoys the beauty of the 
scene before him ; and, further still, the Eame Head, 
on which are the remains of an ancient oratory. 

ISALTEAM. 

Passing up Cattewater, and so on up the Laira— 
the two names by which the estuary of the river 
Plym is called—is the Laira Bridge, and, near it are 
the Eace Course on Chelson Meadow, and Saltram, 
the seat of the Earl of Morley. 

The Laira Bridge was built at the expense of 
the first Earl of Morley, who also at his own 
charge embanked the Laira. In 1807, Lord Morley 
' engaged Mr. Alexander, a successful engineer, to 
survey and report on the practicability of erecting a 
bridge across the estuary. The report of Mr. 
Alexander was to the effect that in consequence of the 
unfavourable nature of the bed of the river, the 
erection of such a structure would (if at all practica¬ 
ble) be attended with enormous expense. The idea 
a bridge was, therefore, abandoned, and his lordship 
being proprietor of the ancient ferry between Oreston 



004 


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. 


and Cattedown, established an improved ferry boat 
which was called a “ flying bridge.” By means of 
this ferry boat, which was open at both ends for the 
purpose of admitting waggons, carts, carriages, and 
other vehicles with their horses attached, as well as 
cattle of all descriptions, and passengers, a regular 
communication was established between Plymouth 
on the one side and Wembury, Brixton, Yealmpton,. 
and other places on the other side. It was impelled 
across the water from side to side by means of a 
strong iron chain, stretched across the channel and 
passing over trucks in the boat which were made to 
revolve by means of two winches. The service of 
this “flying bridge” sufficiently proved its utility to 
the public, but it was liable to interruptions through 
bad weather and spring tides. In 1822, Mr. James 
M. Rendel, the eminent engineer, then a young and 
almost untried man, having projected a suspension 
bridge across the Tamar, at Saltash, which, however,, 
was never constructed, was desired by Lord Morley 
to consider the practicability of erecting a suspension 
bridge across the Laira. Mr. Bendel prepared draw¬ 
ings which were approved, and in 1823, an Act of 
Parliament was obtained empowering its erection. 
Subsequently, however, circumstances occurred to 
occasion the abandonment of the site first proposed y 
and the one on which the present bridge is built being 
unfavourable to the erection of a bridge on the princi¬ 
ple of suspension, the original intention was relin¬ 
quished. In 1824, another Act of Parliament was 
therefore obtained, by which the Act of 1823 was 
repealed, so far as related to the suspension bridge, 


THE LAIR A BRIDGE. 


G95 


Jo 


s' 

s' 

s 


'* I 


and the powers extended to meet the 
requirements for the erection of the 
present bridge. Of this bridge, which 
is extremely elegant in its proportions, 
the accompanying engraving gives a 
representation from Mr. PendePs own 
drawing. It is five hundred feet in 
I length, and consists of five elliptical 
I arches, the centre one, with a span of 
100 feet, the two next, of 95 feet each, 
and the two outer ones of 81 feet each. 
The roadway is twenty-four feet in 
width, and it is twenty-two feet above 
highwater of the spring tides. The 
masonry is of limestone and granite; 
the bridge itself of iron; the founda¬ 
tion and the masonry being executed 
by Mr. Johnson, of the Plymouth 
Granite Works, and the iron-work by 
Mr. Hazeldine, of Shrewsbury. 

The works were begun on the 4th 
of August, 1824; the first stone laid 
by the Earl of Morley, on the 16th of 
March, 1825 ; and the bridge was 
opened on the 14th of July, 1827, 
when H.R.H. the Duchess of Clarence 
(afterwards Queen Adelaide) with her 
suite, passed over it. The following 
inscription is carved on a block of 
at the north end of the bridge:— 











































































































































69G HISTORY OR PLYMOUTH. 

Hunc Pontem 

Senatus Auctoritate Susceptum 
Novas et Commodas vias 
Recludentem 

Johannes Comes de Morley, 

Struendum Curavit 
Opus Inchoatum, A.D. 1824; 

Absolutum, A.D. 1827. 

J. M. Render, Architect. 

Chelson Meadow, near Laira Bridge, was almost 
entirely recovered by the embankment of the Laira 
by the Earl of Morley. It is nsed as a race-course, 
being first opened for that purpose in 1826. The 
course is a mile and a half. The work of embank¬ 
ment was commenced in 1806, and completed in 1817, 
at a cost of nearly £10,000 ; the quantity of land 
reclaimed being 175 acres, and valued at about 
£ 20 , 000 . 

Saltram, in the reign of Charles I., belonged to, 
and was the residence of, Sir James Bagg, of Plymouth, 
but, having been forfeited to the crown, became the 
property of Lord Cartaret, and afterwards of Mr. 
Wolstenholme, from whom, in 1712, it was purchased 
by George Parker, Esq., who owned the neighbouring 
place, Boringdon. The present house was built in 
the early part of last century by the grandfather 
of the first Earl of Morley, and Lady Catherine 
Parker, but has since been materially altered and 
added to; among the additions being a portico, erected 
from the designs of Mr. Eoulston. The house has no 
architectural pretention, but it is nevertheless a noble 
residence, and its rooms are peculiarly elegant. 


SALTRA1I HOUSE. 


697 


Among tlie Art-treasures in the various apartments 
are the following paintings :_ 


Galatea (of Raphael) 

Copy of Domeni- 

Cattle 

chino. 

Cuyp. 

Madonna and Child 

Sasso Ferrato. 

Flight into Egypt 

G. Poussin, 

Marriage of St. Cather¬ 
ine 

j- Corregio. 

Spanish Figures 

Palamedes. 

Soldiers in arockyscene 

Salvator Rosa. 

St. Anthony and Christ 

Caracci. 

St. Catherine 

Guido. 

Sir Joshua Reynolds 

Kauffman. 

Tribute Money 

Caravaggio. 

Landscape 

Wouvermans , 

Adoration of the Shep¬ 
herds. 

Carlo Dolci. 

Madonna and Child 

Andrea del Sarto 

Landscape 

Berghem. 

Bolingbroke Family 

Vandyke. 

Three Female Figures 

Rubens. 

Game 

Snyders. 


Holy Family Guido. 

Bacchanalians (valued) 

at 3,000 guineas) ^ditian. 

Sir Thomas Parker Janssen. 

Queen Elizabeth _ 

Place of St. Mark, > r . .. 

Venice. j Canaletto. 

Sea Piece Vandervelde. 

A iew of Naples Ricciarelli, 

Two small pictures Albano. 

Charles XII. - 

Appollo and Daphne Albano. 

Marquis of Lansdowne Sir J. Reynolds 

Phaeton Stubbs. 

*SIgismundi - 

Landscape Wilson. 

Decapitation of St ) „ 

Paul r Caere mo. 

Cattle Rosa de Tivoli. 

Animals Snyders. 

The Assumption Sabbatini. 


The ceilings of the saloon and dining-room were 
painted by Zucchi; and the house contains many 
other specimens of art, among which is a bust of the 
Earl of Morley, by Nollekens, and casts of Psyche, a 
Faun, and a Hebe, by Canova. The grounds and 
gardens are very extensive and extremely beautiful, 
and the whole domain is full of lovely spots and 
of grand prospects. 

The family of Parker is of considerable antiquity in 
Devonshire, having been seated for several generations 
at Horth Molton, when one of them, Thomas Parker, 
married the heiress of Frye, of Frye’s Hall, in 
Hatherleigh. John Parker, his son and successor, 
married the heiress of Ellicott of Bralton, and was 
succeeded by his son, Edmund Parker, who married 

the heiress of Smythe of Essex. Edmund Parker 

x 







698 


HISTORY OR PLYMOUTH. 


was, in turn, succeeded by his son, John Parker, who, 
in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, marrying the heiress 
of Mayhew, or Mewe, of Boringdon, became pos¬ 
sessed of that patrimony. By this marriage, also, the 
Parkers became possessed of the barton of Woodford, 
and other places. On attaining the Boringdon estates 
the Parkers removed there from North Molton, and, 
ultimately, on the building of Saltram House, made 
that their residence. This Edmund Parker, Esq., 
who was High Sheriff for the County of Devon, in 
1575, died in 1610, and his descendant, John Parker, 
Esq., who was member of Parliament forDevonshire,was, 
in 1784,created Baron Boringdon,of Boringdon, Devon¬ 
shire. He married,first,in 17 63,Frances, daughter of Dr. 
Hort, Archbishop of Tuam, who died the following 
year, without issue; and, second, in 1769, the Hon. 
Theresa Bobinson, second daughter of Thomas, first 
Lord Grantham, by whom he had one son, his suc¬ 
cessor, and one daughter, Theresa, married to the Hon. 
George Villiers. His Lordship died in 1788, and was 
succeeded by his son the Hon. John Parker. 

This nobleman, who was born in 1772, was married 
twice, first to Lady Augusta Pane, second daughter of 
John, Earl of Westmoreland, which marriage was 
dissolved in 1809, the lady afterwards marrying the 
Et. Hon. Sir Arthur Paget; and, second, in 1809, 
to Frances, daughter of Thomas Talbot, Esq., of 
Wymondham, by whom he had issue his son and suc¬ 
cessor, Edward Parker. In 1815 his lordship was 
advanced to the dignities of Yiscount Boringdon of 
North Molton, and Earl of Morley. It was to this peer, 
who died in 1840, that Plymouth is indebted for the 


EARLS OE MORLEY. 


699 


Laira Bridge, the Embankment of the Laira, and other 
public improvements. 

Edmund, second Earl of Morley, was born in 1810, 
and in 1842, married Harriet Sophia, daughter of 
Montague E. Parker, Esq., of Whiteway, and widow 
of William Coryton, Esq., of Pentillie Castle, by 
whom he had issue one son, who succeeded him; and 
one daughter. He died in 1864. 

The present peer, Albert Edmund Parker, third 
Earl of Morley, Viscount and Baron Boringdon, was 
born in 1843, and succeeded his father, Edmund, 
second Earl of Morley, in 1864. His lordship, who 
was educated at Eton and at Balliol College, Oxford, 
where he became B.A. in 1865, is a deputy Lieu¬ 
tenant for Devonshire, and in 1868, was appointed 
a Lord in Waiting to the Queen. 

The arms of the Earl of Morley are, sable , a buck’s 
head caboshed, between two flauches, argent; crest, a 
cubit arm couped below the elbow, the sleeve azure 
cuffed and slashed argent , the hand grasping a stag’s 
attire, gules; supporters, dexter, a stag, argent, col¬ 
lared, or, pendant from the collar a shield, vert , charged 
with a horse’s head couped, argent, bridled, or, sinister, 
a greyhound, sable, collared, or, pendant from the 
collar a shield, gules, charged with a ducal coronet, or. 


ADDENDA TO ANNALS. 


1872. This year the Congress of the National Asso¬ 
ciation for the promotion of Social Science was held at 
Plymouth, and passed off with considerable eclat. 
The Congress commenced on the 11th of September, 
and continued until the 18th. On the 11th an inaugural 
address was delivered by the President, Lord Napier 
and Ettrick, in St. James’s Hall, and special service 
w^as held at St. Andrew’s Church. Meetings of 
various sections were held daily at St. James’s Hall, 
the Athenseum, the Assembly Dooms, the Boyal 
Hotel, the Mechanic’s Institution, the Guildhall, etc. 
In the evening of the 12th, the Mayor of Plymouth, 
Isaac Latimer, Esq., held a reception at the Assembly 
Booms, which were specially devoted for the occasion: 
the company being one of the most brilliant assemblages 
ever held in Plymouth. The same day his worship 
entertained at dinner, the Bight Hon. Lord Napier 
and Ettrick, K.T., the President of the Social Science 
Congress, George Woodyatt Hastings, Esq., President 
of the Council, H. W. Acland, Esq., M.D., E.B.S., J. 
H. Kennaway, Esq., M.P., Presidents of Sections, 
Edwin Pears, Esq., General Secretary, Walter Morrison, 
Esq., M.P., Professor Hodgson, Edward Burkett, Esq., 
B. N. Fowler, Esq., M.P., Dr. Waddilove, Edward 
Jenkins, Esq., author of u Ginx’s Baby,” the Mayor 


ADDENDA TO ANNALS. 


701 


of Devonport, Admiral Kennedy, Sir Kobert Torrens, 
and others. On the 14th, a Garden Fete was given 
at Mount Edgcumbe. On the 15th special services were 
held at most of the Churches and Chapels of the three 
towns, On the 16th the Congress was removed to 
Devonport where its meetings continued to he held 
until the 18th, when various excursions were taken. 
The Congress is said to have been the most successful 
ever held. 

A movement was set on foot, for the restoration of 
St. Andrew’s Church, and Sir Gilbert Scott was called 
in to prepare a plan, and give a report. The estimated 
cost is about £7,000. During the year a monument 
to the Kev. John Hatchard, for forty five years vicar 
of the parish, was put up in this church. It is from 
the design of Sir Gilbert Scott, and bears an admir¬ 
able bust, by Mr. H. H. Armstead, and an incised 
group, emblematical of Mr. Hatchard’s labours during 
the prevalence of cholera in the town. 

In October a testimonial of plate was presented to 
Mr. Alfred Kooker, by his friends and supporters at 
the late election. 

In November Mr. Alderman John Kelly, was elected 
Mayor for the ensuing year, and Honorary Colonel of 
the 2nd Administrative Battalion of Volunteers. 


GENERAL INDEX. 


Acts of Parliament for settling disputes 
with Plympton, 74, 86, 87 

-*-Fortifying the Town 

82 

• -Improvement of 

Harbour, 85, 87, 88 

-Building Charles 

Church, 177, to 181, 534, et seq. 

-Embankment of the 

Laira, 383 

Arms of Plymouth, 507, 569, 571, 572 
to 577 

-"Workhouse, 507 

-In the Guildhall 

570 571 

-On the New Guild¬ 
hall, 580, 581 
Arms of Drake, 509, 571 

-Goodyeare, 513 

--Gennys, 538 

-Carter, 514 

-Calmady, 514 

• -Came, 540 

-Hele, 530 

-Mudge, 507 

-Granger, 507 

-Hawker, 541 

-Rosdew, 507 

-Rashleigh, 512 

-Reding, 514 

-Royal, 530, 570 

-Fletcher, 507 

-Fownes, 510 

-Fowell, 513 

-Mount Edgcumbe, Earl of, 

693 

-Mallac, 507 

-Moore, 543 

-Morley, Earl of, 697 

-Lechemere, 509 

-Lockyer, 508 

-Lanyon, 530 

-Dickinson, 507 

-Downing, 542 

-Yonge, 507 

-Symons, 543 

-Skelton, 517 

-Sacheverell, 514 

-Somerville, 514 

-Seaton, 507 

-Smith, 510 

-S parke, 512, 513 


Arms of Strelley, 514, 515 

-St. Amand, 515 

-Stert, 520 

-Burrell, 507 

-Bedford, 540 

-Parker, 699 

-Pellew, 541 

-Prowse, 507 

-Penrose, 508 

-Vavasour, 514 

-Winne, 543 

-White, 537 

-Westlake, 538 

Abbey, 497, 498 
.ZEneas, 6, 7, 8, 

Agricultural Society, 452 
Albert Bridge, 444 to 448 
Ale Stakes, 112 
Ale Weights, 297 
Ale House Signs &c., 112, 320 
Alms-houses, 219, 233, 308, 316,613, 614 
America First Settlers, in 107 
Ancient British Period, 1 to 11, 677 
to 679 

-Roads, 12, 13 

Ancient Britons, see Celtic 
Anglo-Saxon Period, 35, 36 
Armour, 106 

Arms set up in Church, 235 
Ascaniaus, 6 
Asturia, 3 

Amphion Blowing up of the, 373, 374, 
375 

Architrenius, 7 
Arrows, 103, 104 
Armada, 115 to 123, 130 
Assize of Bread and Beer, 37 
Assembly Rooms, &c., 386, 592, to 
594 

Athenaeum, 387, 392, 403, 597 to 599 
Bee Man, 344 to 346 
Belgic-Gauls, 2 
Barge, 101 

Bang-beggar, 105, 106 
Barbican, 107, 108, 110, 112, 114, 123, 
124, 139, 233, 332, 333, 341, 404, 651, 
653 

Barbican Gate, 651 
Baths and Wash-houses, 442 
Bate, Spence, 17 to 32 
Bells, 106, 127, 172, 435, 529, 530, 544, 
612, 632 to 634 


























































GENERAL INDEX. 


703 


Bell Founding, 632 to 634 
Bellerophon in the Sound, 388 to 391 
Bideford, 115, 221 
Biscuit Works, 640 
Blind School, 616 
Block House, 91 
Blake buried, 219 
Bradshaw, Mrs. death of, 358 
Bovisand Fort, 661, 669 
Bampfylde Moore Carew, 612 
Bowls, Drake playing at, 119 
“Benevolence ” for Wars, 164, 165 
Bread Table, 314 
Breton or Briton Side, 47,139 
Bretons land and spoil the town, 46, 
47, 102 

Breakwater, 18, 387, 412, 427, 437, 660, 
665 to 669 

Breakwater Fort, 660 to 662, 668 
British Roads, 12, 13 
Brute, 7 

Bronze Weapons, 14 to 34 
Briton Side, 47, 139 
Bridewell, 611, 612 
Bruce, Robert, Wars of, 38 
Bulwark, 99, 100 
Butchers, Regulations of, 86 
Buonaparte, 388 to 391, 397, 468 
Buckland, Abbot of, 260 

C 

Churches—St. Andrew’s, 68, 76, 77, 
78, 90, 99, 102, 104, 127, 131, 147, 
172, to 181, 217, 219, 224, 226, 230, 
to 235, 270, 297, 302, 315, 316, 322, 
323, 325, to 328, 330 to 332, 335, 347, 
362, 392, 396, 401, 403, 404, 406, 435, 
460, 502 to 533, 612, 633, 634 

-Charles’ 172 to 181, 216, 

217, 219, 220, 224, 225, 233, 297, 302, 
308, 312, 313, 315 to 317, 320, 321, 
323, 332, 344, 376, 392, 534 to 545 

——-Consecration of, 225 

——-Almshouses, 233 

--Trinity, 432, 433, 546 

— -Christ, 547 

--St. Peter’s, 441, 442, 546 

— --—St. Saviour’s, 547 

-St. John the Evangelist, 

443, 547 

-St. James’ 547 

--St. Catherine, 498, 499, 

649 

-St. Michael’s, 499, 500 

-Emmanuel, 547 

-Citadel, 548 to 550 

Chapels, St. Andrew’s, 545 

-Charles, 545 

-Portland, 550 

-Stonehouse 362 

Church Ales, 76, 77, 78 
Charles I. at Plymouth, 166, 167 

Picture of, at St. Andrew’s, 


Charles I. Charter of, 169 to 171 
Charles II. proclaimed, 220 

-Salt cellar presented to, 220, 

-Expenses of visit to Ply¬ 
mouth, 228, 229 

-Charter of, 237, 239 to 264, 

271 272 

Customs, &c., 113, 127, 128, 257, 272 
to 306 

Custom House, 588 
Chemical Works, 640 
Candle Works, 640 

Citadel, 91, 93, 111, 112, 124 to 130, 
190, 191. 226, 228 to 230, 237, 266, 
314, 315/332, 343, 610, 653 to 656 
Cattedown, 124 

Circumnavigation of the Globe. 109, 
110 

Chapels, Baptist, 333, 550 to 552 

-Congregational, 552 to 561 

-Sherwell, 559 

-Unitarian, 561 

-Quakers, 562 to 565 

-Wesleyan, 566 

-Jews, 569 

-Plymouth Brethren, 569 

Otlicrp 569 

Cathedral, Catholic, 566 to 568 
China, Plymouth, 599, 621 to 631 

-Manufactory, 599, 621 to 631 

Hougc 599 

Compass on the Hoe, 111, 112, 230 
Coaches, 347, 372, 388, 644 to 646 
Cook, Capt., Expeditions, 350, 353, 
356 to 358 

Cookworthy, William, 621 to 631 
Cothele, 367 
Cross, 103,139, 179, 326 
Castle, 91, 93, 99, 100 to 107, 123, 124, 
211, 233, 312, 648 to 650 
Canning at Plymouth, 396 
Cornwall, 2 et seq 79, 93 
Catherine of Arragon, 79, 80 
Calais, Siege of, 41, 42 
Camden, 7 
Carthaginians, 5 
Cassiterides, 4, 5 
Cave at Stonehouse, 10, 11, 356 

-Torquay, 11 

Cawsand, 11, 91, 693 
Cattewater, 17, 28, 85, 384 
Coxside, 90 

Carmelites, (see “ Religious Houses ”) 
Cistercian Friars (see “ Religious 
Houses ”) 

Chantries, 528, 529 
Charter, Petition for, 47 
Charter, First, of Incorporation, 47 
to 67, 74 

-Proceedings on, 74 

-Queen Mary, 95 to 97 

-of Queen Elizabeth, 99, 134, 

to 138, 146, 272 to 306 

-of King James, 146, 147 

-of Charles I., 169 to 171 


235 









































704 


GENERAL INDEX. 


Charter of Charles II., 237, 239 to 265, 
271, 272 

-of James II., 265 

-of William III., 272 to 306 

--List of, 313, 314 

Chelson Meadow, 693, 696 
Cholera, 406, 429 
Carrington, 356 
Celtic dwellings, 6 
-Towns, 6 

• -Hut Circles, 6 

-Remains, 8 to 11, 677 to 679 

-Coins, 8 to 10, 677 to 679 

Conduits, 106, 133, 139, 182, 220, 321, 
322, 331, 332, 342, 407, 652, 653 
Causeway, 106 
Cemetery, Roman, 17 to 32 
-615 

Corpus Christi Guild, 76 to 78 
Corinseus, 6 to 8 
Covenant, 220, 225, 272 
Coins, Ancient British, 8 to 10 

-Roman, 14 

Collier, Sir Robert, P., 470 
Coote, Sir Eyre, Funeral of, 360, 
361 

Clock, 99, 235, 529 

• -Tower, 449 

Clink, 141, 142 

Cloth Fair, 491 

Crania Britannica, 5 

Coronation Rejoicings, 394 

Corporation of 1452, Names of, 70, 71 

-of 1612,--145,146 

-Wearing Red Roses, 72 

-Scarlet Gowns 


112, 487 

-Laced Bonnets, 72 

-Refusal to take Office, 

78 

-Present, 484, 485 

-Payments, 99 

-Robes, 111, 142, 230 to 

232, 487, 575 

-Petitions, 125 to 127, 134 

-Sale of Outlaws’ Pro¬ 
perty, 132 

-Powers, etc., 135 to 138 

-Customs of the, 141, 142, 

487, 581 to 500, 602 

-Seals, 574 to 577 

-Plate, 572 t® 577 

-Charles Church, 172 to 

181 

-League and Covenant, 220 

225 

-Maces, etc., 230, 316, 391, 

572 to 577 

Corporation Medal, 391, 573 

-Disputes, 235, 236, 318, 

325 

-Fishing Feast, 308 to 310, 

341, 587, 588 

-List of Charters, Books, 

etc., 313, 314 


Corporation, Removal of Mayor, 318 
Coxside Gate, 124, 308, 316, 651 
Court of Record, 250 
-Leet, 257 


D 


Drake, Sir Francis, 90, 107 to 112, 115 
to 124, 129, 130, 272, 299, 306, 307, 
310, 311, 341, 463, 571, 580, 608, et 
seq 

-Expedition, 

107 to 109, 114, 115 

-Spanish Armada, 115 to 123 

Drake’s Island (See St. Nicholas’ 
Island) 

Drake and the Water Supply, 123, 125 

-Letters from, 129 

Devonport, 91, 270, 335. 359, 360, 380, 
381, 397 to 401, 411, 433 
Dockyard, 91, 270, 335, 356, 357, 359, 
360, 380, 381, 383, 433 
Dock Infantry, 603 
Damnonii, 2, 3 
Dartmoor, 6, 8 

Day, Mr., the Diver, 350 to 352 
Diligences, 644 to 646 
Dionysius Peregetes, 4 
Danes, 35 

Dissolution of Monasteries, 88 to 90 
Dispensary, 3S5, 615 
Distilleries, 496, 638, 639 
Diving Machines, 350 to 352 
Defences of Plymouth (see “ Fortifica¬ 
tions”) 

Domesday Book, 36 

Drayton, Michael 6 to 8 

Drama, 99 to 106 

Drill Hall, 463, 599 to 606 

Duke of Cornwall Hotel, 643 

Dutton, Loss of the. 375 to 379 

Ducking Stool, 37, 653 

Dues, Rates, and Customs, 113, 257 

Duel, 347 


E 


Ejected Ministers, 221 to 225, 550 to 
568 

Earthquake, 88 

Eastlake, Charles Lock, 389 to 391, 405 
East-gate, 139, 651 

Edward the Black Prince at Ply¬ 
mouth, 42, 44 

Edmonds, Sir Thomas, 99, 100 
Election of Mayor, 583 
Eddystone Lighthouse, 308, 312, 316, 
335. 336, 337, 359 to 371, 428, 572, 
669 to 667 

Edgecumbe, family of 681 to 673 
Eratosthenes, 4 
Exchange, 230, 388, 588 
Eye Infirmary, 616 






































GENERAL INDEX. 


F 

Freedom of the Corporation given, 233 
Fairs, 137, 297, 302, 331, 486 to 491 
Fame, Loss of the, 346 
Fee, Farm Rent, 92 
Female Penitentiary, 616 

-Orphan Asylum, 617 

Fish Market, 488, 489 
Fish Cage, 331, 334 
Fishery, Right of, 38 
Fish Shambles, 270, 532 
Fishing Feast, 308, to 310, 341, 587, 
588, 610 

Fire Engine, 230 

-Destructive, 371, 410, 433 

Flint Implements, 10, 11 
Fleets (see ships furnished) 

Flags presented to the Borough, 331, 

Fort (see Citadel) 

Fortification of the Town, 82, 83, 94, 
648 to 669 

Fountain Tavern, 593 
French Fleet, Ravages of, 45, 46, 92 
Frankfort Gate, 196, 330, 334, 337, to 
339, 650 

Free School (see Grammar School) 
Friary Gate, 342, 650 
Freedom Day, 581 
Freemason’s Hall, 607 

G 

Gates of the Town, 124, 127, 132, 179, 
196, 330, 334, 342, 650 to 653 
Gauls, 2, 3 
Gades, 3 

Gaditanian Vessels, 5, 

Goal, 136, 141. 142, 251, 610 
Gas, 646, 647 
Gasking Gate, 196, 651 
Gilbert, Cannon Funeral of, 324, 325 
Guildhall, 104, 112. 137, 140 to 143, i 
145, 220, 226, 237, 250, 266, 279, 318, 
322, 326, 330, 331, 334, 341, 382, 450, 
463, 569 to 588 

—-New, 578 to 588 

Guild of Corpus Christi, 76 to 78, 
528 

Guildham Mercatorium, 250 
God’s House, 613 
Gogmagog, 6, 7, 8, 105 
Gold Chain, Mayor’s, 573, 574 
Grammar School, 81, 99, 100, 107, 220, 
614 

Grey Friars, 90, 93 
Grey School, 321 

H 

Harbours, Improvements of, 84, 85, 
87, 88 

Hackney Coaches, 644 to 646 


705 

I Hawkins, Sir John, 85, 115 to 123, 129 
to 131, 133, 134 

-Spanish Armada, 115 to 123 

-Bequest to the town, 133, 

134 

-Sir Richard, 138,139,155,156 

-Lady, quarrel with, 139 

Hesperides, 4 
Hele’s School, 172 
Hotels, 592 to 594, 642 to 644 
Humboldt, 3 
Hawker, Dr., 376, 379 
Hoe Gate, 124, 651, 652 
Hoe, The, 6, 7, 8, 72, 101, 103, 105, 
106, 110 to 112, 119, 124 to 127, 163, 
230, 314, 315, 334, 379, 395, 402, 405, 
498, 648 et seq, 663 to 665 
Howe, John, last Prior of Plympton, 
88, to 90 

Hospital of Poor’s Portion (see “Work- 
house ”) 

-Naval, 341 

-Lying-In, 383 

-South Devon, 451, 615 

-(See “ Religious Houses ”) 

-Orphans’ Aid, 613, 614 

Horse Pond, 334 

I 

Iberians, 2, to 4 
Inkeild Street, 12, 13 
Indulgences granted, 83, 94 
Iron Founders, 640 

J 

Jory’s, Col., Almshouses, 308 

--Maces, 316, 335 

---Bell for Charles’ Church, 

316 

-Clock and Chimes, 323 

Jubilee, 72, 385 

Judge Jeffery at Plymouth, 237 
Jews, 568 

K 

Karn Bre, 10 

Kent, blowing up of the, 353, 354 
King James’s Charter, 146, 147 

-’Charles I. Charter, 169 to 171 

---at Plymouth, 166, 167 

-Picture at St. Andrew’s 

235 

-Charles II. at Plymouth, 228, 

229, 232 

-Proclaimed, 220 

-Salt cellar, 220 

-Touching for King’s Evil, 

232 

-Charter, 237, 239 to 265 

-James II., Charter, 265 

-William III., Charter 272 to 306 

x—2 































706 


GENERAL INDEX. 


King George II., Picture of, in Guild¬ 
hall, 330 

-III., at Plymouth, 364 

to 369 

King’s Evil, touching for, 232 
Knighton, 16 


L 

Lanyon’s Almshouses, 233 
Laira and Laira Bridge, 397, 401, 402, 
693 to 696 

Lambert the rebel, 228, 237 
Lamps, 343, 348 to 350 
Leat, Plymouth, 123,125,297, 302,308, 
to 310, 331, 332, 341, 356, 402, 607 
to 610 

Lead, Swallowing of, 672, 673 
League and Covenant, 220, 225, 272 
Leather Hall, 219 
Leland’s account of Plymouth, 87 
Lighting and Paving, 347 to 350, 353 
Library, 386, 387, 443, 467, 472, 594 
to 596 

Lich-gate, 530, 531 

Lenche, Wm., &c., Passage of the 
Tamar, 43 

Littleham, Murder at, 147 
Lifeboat, 448 

Loving Cups, 113, 314, 537 
Letter to the Mayor, 171, 172 
Letters, charges on, 176 
Livery of Town Clerk, 230 to 232 
Long Room, 593 
Lying-in Hospital, 383 

M 


Manufactures, Trade and Regula¬ 
tions, regarding, 490, 491 

-in 1783, 621 

-in 1814, 634, 635 

-past and present, 618 to 

641 

-Soapworks, The Mill- 

bay, 636 

-The Victoria 


637 

637 


to 634 


-The Imperial 

-Sugar Refineries, 618 
-Chemical Works, 618 640 
-Candle, 618, 636, 640 
-Linseed Oil Mills, 614 
-Distilleries, 618,638, 639 
-Starch, &c., 639, 640 
■China, 618, 621 to 631 
-Earthenware, 618, 631 
•Bell Founders, 618, 632, 


■Woollen, 618, 631, 632 
Sail-cloth, &c., 618, 635, 

■Salt, 614 
Sugar, 637, 638 


Manufactures, Biscuit, 640 

-Iron, 640 

-Gas, 646, 647 

Maces of the Corporation, 230, 316 
334, 335, 572, 573 
Massalia, 5, 6 

Margaret of Anjou at Plymouth, 75 

Minstrels, <fcc., 99 to 106 

Morris Dancers, 102 to 106 

May Pole and Dancers, 102 to 106 

Maker Churh, 684 

Mayor, First, of Plymouth, 67 

-Medal presented to, 391 

Medical Association, 463 
Mechanics’ Institute, 596, 597 
Medina, Duke of, 119, 120 
Medal, Corporation, 391, 392 
Midsummer Wake, 103 
Militia, 590 et seq 

Mills, 100, 125, 259, 297, 302, 330, 334, 
Miser, Death of a, 384 
Merchant Dues, 113 
Mitre Tavern, 496 

Mount Edgcumbe, 92, 98, 102,106, 110, 
119, 124, 232, 343, 344, 367, 681 to 
693 

-Earls of, 681 to 693 

Market, 106, 107, 112, 137, 138, 141, 
216, 229, 260, 283, 297, 302, 382, 486, 
to 491 

Market Cross, 103, 139 (see Chart viii), 
326 

-Tolls, 106, 107, 207 

-Yarn, 218, 219 

Martin’s Gate, 326, 342, 651, 653 
Miser, 393 
Millbrook Lake, 84 
Mount Batten, 8,18,190, 191, 215, 359, 
405, 677 to 679 
Mount’s Bay, 5 

Monuments, &c.,St. Andrew’s Church, 
505 to 533 

-Charles Church, 537 

to 544 

-Citadel Church, 549, 

550 

Morley, Earls of, 697 to 699 
Mudge, Dr. Zachary, 270, 328, 329, 
347 

Murder of a Jew, 339, 340 
N 


Napoleon Bonaparte at Plymouth, 388 
to 391 
Narbon, 6 

Naval Hospital, 341 
Newspapers, 640 to 642 
Nonconformists, 550 to 568 

-Baptists, 550 to 552 

-Congregationalists, 552 

to 561 


-Unitarians, 561 to 562 
-Society of Friends, 562 


565 




































GENEEAL INDEX. 


707 


Nonconformists, Wesleyan Methodists, 
566 

----Roman Catholic, 566 to 

568 

---Plymouth Brethren, 569 

■-Other Denominations, 

568 

New England (see Pilgrim Fathers) 
Newspapers, 372, 463, 472, 640 to 642 
North Gate, 179 
Norman Period, 35, 36 
Notte Street, Old Houses in, 80, 81 
Northcote, James, 332 

O 

Old Town Gate, 179, 196, 635, 651 
Old Church Twelves, 219 
Ordnance for the Hoe, 101, 103, 105 
Oreston, 680, 694 

-Fossil Remains at, 680 

Orphans’ Aid, 167, 613 

-Asylum, 617 

Oxenham’s Expedition, 109 

P 

Petition to Queen Elizabeth, 125 to 
127 

-Regarding Charles Church, 

175, 176 

-Charters, 239, to 

265 

-:-Turnpike Road, 335 

-Citadel, 314, 315 

-Provisions, 343 

Prison, 137, 141, 142, 250, 610 
Pillory, 38, 321, 322 
Proclamations, 139, 143, 220, 266, 321, 
322 326 

Portrait of Charles I. 235 

-George, II. 330 

Paving and Lighting, 347 to 350, 353, 
401 

Palace Court, 500, 501 
Parker, Family of, 697 
Plym, 2 

Plym Bridge, 99 
Phoenicians, 2, to 5 
Phenomenon, Strange, 163 
Parliament, First Member of, 37 
Pellew, Capt., 373, 379 
Perkin, Warbeck, at Whitsand Bay, 
79 

Penetentiary, 616 
Pilchard Fishery, 127, 128 

-Great Shoal of, 214, 215 

Pilgrim, Legal Transit of, 46 
Pilgrim Fathers, 144, 156 to 162 
Pirates, Ravages of, 39 
Picklecombe Fort, 659, 669 
Poor’s, Portion, (see “Workhouse”) 
Plymouth, Annals of, 1 to 474 

-Situation, &c., 475 to 478 

-Streets, 478, 484, 530, 531, 


Plymouth, Government of, 484, 485 
(see “ Corporation”) 

-Population, 485, 486 

-Market, &c., 486 to 491 

-Public Buildings and Insti¬ 
tutions, 615 to 617 

--Manufactures, 618 to 640 

-Trades’ Tokens, 619 to 621 

-China Works, 621 to 631 

-Newspapers, 640 to 542 

Players, 99 to 106, 337, to 339, 358, 
611, 612 ’ 

Play Bill, Curious, 337 to 339 
Plate Presented to the King, 220, 221. 
Polyolbion, 6, 7, 8 ’ 

Popes’ Bulls Burnt, 135 
Post and Post Office, 176, 588 
Priscianus, 4 
Plate, Corporation, 391 
Plympton Priory, 36, 37, 47, 74, 86, to 
88, 90, 101, 104, 496, et seq. 

—-Disputes with, 37, 47, 

74, 86, 87 ’ 

Plymouth Dock, Change of Name, 397, 
to 401 


-Assemblies, 593 

Pottery Manufacture, 386 
Poconitas at Plymouth, 148 
Poictiers, Battle of, 42 
Pounds, 230 


Plague, the, &c., 76, 95, 101, 110, 111, 
124, 139, 166, 267 
Prisons, 136, 141, 142, 251, 610 
Public Library, 386, 387, 443, 467, 472, 
594 to 596 


Pumps, 103 
Punishments, 611, 612 
Puritan Settlers (see “Pilgrim Fa¬ 
thers”) 


Q 

Queen Elizabeth’s Charter, 99, 134 to 
138, 146, 272 to 306 
Queen Mary’s Charter, 95, to 97, 99, 
147 

Quarrel between Mayor and Vicar, 
73 


R 

Religious Houses, 492 

-Grey Friars, 90, 93, 

494 to 496 

-White Friars, 38, 90, 

93, 492 to 494 

-Cistercians, 90 

-Franciscans, 492, 494 

to 496 

-Carmelites, 38, 90, 492 

to 494 

-Dominicans, 496 

-Plympton Priory (see 

Plympton) 

-Black Friars, 496 


































708 GENERAL INDEX. 


Religious Houses, Leper’s Hospital, 496 

-Abbey, 497 

-St. Catherines on the 

Hoe, 498 

--St. Michael’s 499 

Rates and Dues, 113 
Ramilies, Loss of, 339 
Rejoicings, 139, 237, 321, 324, 364, 405, 
413, 415, 418 to 427, 430, 431, 450, 
452 to 459 

Ringing Laws, 530, 544 
Reynolds, Sir Joshua, 325 
Roads, State of, 146 
Roche, removal of, from Office of 
Mayor, 316 to 319 
Romano-British Period, 12 to 16 
Roman Remains, 12 to 32 

-Roads, 12 to 14, 80 

-Polling, 16, 26 to 32 

-Coins, 14 

-Cemetery, 17 to 32 

-Weapons, 15, 16 

Roads, Old, 12 to 14, 80 

-British, 12, 13 

-Roman, 12, 13 

Royal Portraits, 570 
Royal Visits to Plymouth, 37,42, 44, 68, 
73, 75, 79, 80, 83 98, 113, 114, 148, 
166, 167, 228, 229, 232, 266, 337, 342 
to 344, 347, 362 to 369, 386, 392, 394, 
395, 403, 406, 407, 439, 443, 446 to 
448, 452 to 459, 468, 532, 620 
Royal Hotel, &c., 386, 449, 592 to 594, 
643 

Refusal to take Office, 78 
Rudyerd’s Lighthouse, 312, 316, 335 
Running Post, 176 

S 

Steward of the Corporation, 333, 342 
Schools, Gammar, 81, 99, 100, 107, 
220, 614 

-Pree, 107, 220, 615 

-Hele’s 172, 615 

-Grey, 321, 615 

•-—Other, 615 

Sail Cloth Manufacture, 635, 636 
Salt Manufacture, 614 
Saltram, 364 to 369, 696 to 699 
Snow, Great, 143, 144, 322, 323, 361, 
362 

Smeaton’s Lighthouse, 336, 337, 369 

-Memoir of, 369 to 371 

Sherwell’s Charities, 167 to 169, 552 
to 561 

Sbovell, Sir Cloudesley, 312 

Shack ell, Governor, Will of, 358, 359 

Silures, 2 to 5 

Seilly Islands, 2 to 4 

Salt, 104 

Salt Cellar given to Charles II., 220 
Siege of Plymouth, 182 to 215 
Siege of Calais, 41, 42 


Sedan Chairs, 645 
Skelton, Sir John, 230 
Signs, 112, 496, 531, 619, 620 
Shambles, 107, 140, 219, 270, 297, 302, 
326, 489, 531 

Ships Furnished, 37 to 39, 41, 42, 45, 
82, 84 

Ship of Corpus Christi, 77 
Spanish Flag, 331 

Shoemakers agreement as to prices, 
215, 216 

-Complaints, 215, 216 

Soap Works, 636, 637 
Solemn League and Covenant, 225 
Sweating Sickness, 76, 95 
Slaughter House, 332 
St. Nicholas’ Island, 93, 101, 103, 105, 
114, 123, 182, 228, 396, 499, 665 
St. Martin’s Gate, 651, 653 
St. James’s Hall, 599 
Seals of the Borough, 574 to 577 
Starch Works, 639 

Stage Coaches, 347, 372, 388, 644 to 
646 

Solinus, 3, 4 
Solomon, 4, 5 

Spanish Armada, 115 to 123 
Stonehouse Bridge, 342, 346, 347 
Staddon Heights, 18 
Stamford Hill, Cemetery at, 17 to 32 
-Fort (see “Siege of Ply¬ 
mouth ”) 

Strabo, 4, 5 

Stonehouse, 10, 11, 92, 106, 346, 347, 
356, 362, 372, 373, 593 
Spunging houses, 112 
Sutton, 35, 36 

-Prior, 36 

-Valletort, 36 

-Ralph, 36 

-Pool, 84, 85, 105, 111, 112,148 

to 152, 224, 313, 382 
Surrender of Charters, 238 (see 
“ Charters ”) 

Sugar Refinery, 637, 638 

T 

Trades and Manufactures, Regulations 
of, 490, 491 

-Past and Pre¬ 
sent, 618 to 640 
Traders’ Tokens, 619 to 621 
Tamar, 2, 35, 43, 91 

--Passage of the, 43 

Tameorwertli, 35, 36 
Tacitus, 3 
Tarshish, 5 
Tallerton, 16 
Tin Trade, 2, et seq, 113 
Theatre and Players, 99 to 106, 337 
to 339, 358, 388, 403, 449,. 588 to 592, 
611, 612 

Throne for the town, 101 


























GENERAL INDEX. 


Town Clerk’s Gown, 230 to 232 

-Walls, 196 

-Gates (see Gates) 

Tolls, Market, 106, 107 
Torquay, 11 

Tournament on the Hoe, 72 

Town Trunk and its Contents, 313, 314 

Town’s Barge, 101 

Town Standard, 237 

Troy, 6 to 8 

Trojans, 6 to 8 

Tree at Briton Side, 139 

Transit, 644 to 646 

Trelawney, John, Letters to, 267 to 
269 

-Bishop, 269 

-Major General, 271, 272, 

307 

Trinity Church, 432, 433 
Tucker, C., 16 
Turnchapel, 679 
Tokens, Traders’ 619 to 621 
Tyre, 5 

U 

Union Cup, 113, 314 
V 

Victualling House, 331, 332, 367 
Virginia Expeditions, 112 
Volunteer Drill Hall, 463, 599 to 606 
-Movement, 599 to 606 


709 
W 

War with Robert Bruce, 38 

-Guienne 39, 40 

-Poictiers 42 

-Holland 218 

Western College, 560 
Whitefriars Monastery, 38, 90, 93, 
371, 650 

Whitsand Bay, 79 
White Book, 172 

Wildman, Mr., “The Bee Man,” 
344 to 346 

Will of General Shackell, 358, 359 
Wine Weights, 297 
Winstanley’s Lighthouse, 308 
Waterworks and Supply (see “ Leat’ 1 ) 

-Pump, 103 

Wake at Midsummer, 103 
Watch House, 331, 334 
Watching, 349, 350, 353 
Wrestling, 7 

Wellington, Duke of, Visit of, 393 
Workhouse, 147, 167 to 169, 224, 230, 
315, 316, 330, 333, 610 to 613 
Woollcombe, Dr., 350 
Wollen Manufacture, 631, 632 
Woman in Man’s Clothes, 341 

Y 

Yarn Market, 218, 219, 4S9 
Yogg, Thomas, Builds St. Andrew’s 
Church, 68 













LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS 


Arthur, Edward, Mr. 
Alder, W. H., Mr. 
Allen, Joseph, Mr. 
Alger, J ohn, Mr. 
Arthur, Oswald, Mrs. 

B 


Burnell, John, Mrs. 

Bennett, E. G., Mr. 

Bewes, Rev. T. A. 

Boger, Deeble Esq., J.P. 

Briggs, Thomas, Mr. 

Bayly, John, Mr. 

Brown, Eld red R., Mr. 

Bate,Charles Spence, F.R.S., F.L.S. 
Blight, T. R., Mr. 

Bulteel, F. F., Mr. 

Burnell, \V.,Mr. 

Bewes, Charles T., Mr. 

Bastard, B. J. P., Esq., J.P. 

Body, Walter, Mr. 

Bickford, Mr. 

Bates, Edward, Esq., M.P. 

Bovey, & Co., Messrs. 

Bowden, Frederic J., Mr. 

Bayly, Robert, Mr. 

Barnes, Rev. F. 

Brian, T. C. Mr., Coroner 


C 


Call, B., Mr. 

Carew, W. H. Pole, Esq., J.P. 
Collier, Mortimer J., Mr. 
Colley, J. L., Mr. 

Cudlipp, J. S., F.S.S., Mr. 
Cranford, Robert, Mr. 
Cuming, W. B., Mr. 

Collier, Sir Robert P. 
Collier, W. F., Mr. 
Cleverton, F. W. P., 4 Mr. 
Cross, Henry, Mr. 

Clarke, Samuel, Mr. 
Crewdson, W. l3., Mrs. 
Collier, A . B., Mr. 

Calmady, Y. P., Mr. 

Champion, Lieut., R.M.L.I. 


D 

Dyer, Alfred, Mr. 

Derry, W., Mr. 

Davies, Edward, Mr. 
Dymond, T. R., Mr. 

Derry, David, Mrs. 

Dawson, Ralph, Esq., J.P. 
Davidson, J. B., Mr. 

Dawe, J. E. E., Mr. 

Davy, Thomas Hyne, Mr. 

E 

Elliot, J. J., Esq., J.P. 
Edmonds, John, Mr. 

Essery, W., Mr. 

Ellis, Robert, Mr. 

Evers, H. Mr., LL.D. 

F 

Fuge, Miss 
Farley, Mrs. 

Feather, Henry, Mr. 
Fortescue, W. C., Mr. 
Fowler, F. S., Mr. 

Fortescue, J. F., Mr. 
Fitz-Gerald, Lt.-Col. 

G 

Govett, P. Herbert, Mr. 
Gill, Rev. W. 

Grigg, Mark, Mr. 

Goulding, F. H., Mr. 
Greaves, Rev., H. A. 

Gale, Dr. 

Gliddon, Mr. 

Grepe, W. S., Mr. 

H 

Hingston, Alfred, Esq., J.P. 
Hutchinson, Capt., R.N. 
Hill, Richard, Mr. 

Hare, J., Mr. 

Hingston, J. T.,Mr. 

Harris, W. H., Mr. 

Harris, A. S., Mr. 





LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS. 


711 


Hawker, James, Mrs. 

Hingston, Mrs. C. 

Hooper, John, Mr. 

Holmes, Peter, D.D., F.R.A.S. 
Hicks, Francis, Mr. 

Hine, James, Mr. 

Harper, Thomas, Mr. 

Hawken, Silas, Mr. 

Hawker, W. H., Mr. 

Herron, Frederick, Mr. 

Hatohard, Rev. J. Alton 
Hellyer, J., Mr. 

Holberton, W., Mr. 

Hill, Richd., Jun., Mr. 

Hems, Harry, Mr. 

Hingston, C. Albert, M.D. 

Healey, E., Mr. 

Higman, F. Mr. 

Howland, H. J., Mr. 

J 

Jago, Dr. 

Jonas, Rev. J. G. 

Jago, Edward, Mr. 

K 

Kelly, J. Esq., Mayor of Plymouth 
Keys, I. W. N., Mr. 

L 

Lopes, Sir Massey, Bart., M.P. 
Latimer, Isaac, Mr. 

Luce, Mr. 

Littleton, T., Dr., M.B., Lond. 
Libby, John, Mr. 

Luscombe, Henry, Mr., Vice-Consul 
for Spain 

Luscombe, W., Esq., J,P. 

Lewin, W. Mr. 

Lee, C. K., Mr. 

Lewis, J. D., Esq., M.P. 

Liscombe, R., Mr. 

Luke, A., Mr., 

Luke, Alfred, Mr. 

Luke, W. H., Jun., Mr. 

Lampen, Miss 

M 

Mount Edgcumbe (Dowager Count¬ 
ess of) 

Mount Edgcumbe, Earl of 
Morrison, Walter, Esq., M.P. 
Matthews, W. E., Esq., J.P. 

Moore, Rev. Joseph 
Marshall, W. Mr. 

Moore, R. E., Mr. 

Matthews, J. W., Mr. 

Morris, George, Mr. 

Mudge, A., Mr. 

Mennie, George, Esq., J.P. 


Marshall, Edred, Mr. 

Morrish, Francis, A., Mr. 

Moon, James, Mr. 

Matthews, Chas. M., Mr. 

Mead William, P., Mr. 
Maynard, Henry, Mr. 

N 

Norrington, Charles, Esq., J.P. 
Newton, J. B., Mr. 

O 

Officers Library, Royal Marines 
Ormiston, Thos., C.E., Mr. 
Oldbey, Robert, Mr. 

P 

Plymouth Public Library 
Plymouth Institution 
Prideaux, Walter, Mr. 
Prideaux, Charles, Mr. 

Parlby, Rev. Hall 
Phillips, W. R., Mr. 

Pridham, George, Mr. 

Prance, W. H., Mr. 

Popham, Radford & Co. 

Pearse, Samuel, Mr. 
Polkinghorne, E., Mr. 

Pearse, Thomas, Mr. 

Picken, S., Jun., Mr. 

Pethick, John, Mr. 

Pardon, B., Mr. 

Pode, Stephen, Mr. 

Pitts, Thos., Jun., Mr. 

Page, J. H., Mr. 

Picken, Miss 
Peck, Mrs. 

Page, Mrs. 

Palmer, W. J., Mr. 

R 

Rodda, Richard, Mr. 

Rooker, Alfred, Mr. 

Rogers, J. P., Mr. 

Risk, Rev., J. E. 

Radmore, W., Mr. 

Rich arson, Mrs., T. 

Radford, W., Esq., J.P. 

Rowe, J. Brooking, Mr. 

Ryall, R., Mr. 

Ralph, A., Mr. 

Rawlings, W., Mr. 

Rorie, George, Mr. 

Rice, John, Mr. 

Roach, S,, Mr. 

Rogers, Rev. E. 

Raddall, Warne, Mr. 





712 


LIST OP SUBSCRIBERS. 


S 

Stewart, Sir Houston 
Strode, Major 
Skardon, James C., Mrs. 

Skardon, James, Esq., J.P. 

Skardon, W., Mr. 

Skardon, Charles S., Mr. 

Spink, M., Rev. 

Spence, Charles, Mr. 

Square, Miss 

South Devon & Cornwall Library 
Society, per Mr. Blewett 
Spender, Edward, Mr. 

Saunders, W., Mr. 

Shelly, John, Mr. 

Spooner, N. A., Mr. 

Seargeant, L. J., Mr. 

Skelton, John, M.D., M.R.C.S. 
Skelton, Dr. R. 

Saunders, John A., Mr. 

Steadman, Mr. H. 

Sparrow, Benjamin, Mr. 

Square, Elliot, Mr. 

Stephens, Robert, Mr. 

Stevens, Thos. Jones, Mr. 


Trelawny-Collins, Rev. C. T. 
Taylor, Mrs. 

Tanner, Charles, Mr. ' 
Tubbs, C. E., Mr. 

Trist, Major, J.P. 

Thomson, Michell, Mr. 
Trevena, Mr. 

W 

Woodhouse, Mr. H. A. 
Whiteford, C. C., Mr. 
Waddington, R. E., Mr. 
Wills, Miss 
Watts, Elias, Mr. 
Whiteford, Miss 
Woods, W., Mr. 

Widger, J. A., Mr. 

Wills, Joseph, Mr. 
Whiteford, H., Mr. 

White, W. H. P., Mr. 

Y 

Yonge, Capt. 


T 


Treby, Miss 






BRITON MEDICAL AND GENERAL 

LIFE ASSOCIATION- 

Chief Offices 429, STRAND, LONDON. 

Head Office for Scotland 13, QUEEN STREET, EDINBURGH, 

Actuary and Secretary:— 

JOHN MESSENT, E.I.A., F.S.S. 


Principal Features of the Office. 

1. —Policies made 'payable during Life. 

2. —Policies absolutely indisputable after Five years. 

3. —Policies may be protected from becoming void through, temporary inability 

to pay a Premium if they have been in force over Five years. 

4. —Prompt settlement of Claims within Three months after proof of death , 

or sooner wider discount. 

5. —A full and detailed Financial Statement of the business and assets of the 

office is published every year for general circulation , 

ANNUAL INCOME FOR 1871, £245,824 18s. Sd. 


3, Bank of England Place, Plymouth. 

Dear Sir, 

Permit me to direct your attention to a new and valuable 
system of Life Assurance, invented for and introduced by the BRITON 
MEDICAL AND GENERAL LIFE ASSOCIATION. 

The new system consists of a peculiar application of the Profits of the 
Society at each Bonus distribution, so that the sum assured becomes ultimately 
receivable during lifetime by the assured himself. 

I cannot better explain this new system to you than by giving one example 
from the many thousands of Bonus allotments made by the Association to 
those who have already adopted it. A.B., aged 22, effected a policy on his 
life, and at the first division of Profits in which he shared, which was in the 
year 1862, the age of 75J was fixed by the Office for the payment of his policy. 
In 1867, he again shared - in Profits when the age of 71 was named (instead of 
75^) for payment of the policy. At the end of 1872 he will again share in 
Profits, when a still earlier age will be fixed, and at each subsequent division of 
Profits the operation will be repeated, until the reduced, age fixed shall have 
been reached by the assured, when the amount of his policy will be handed to 
him, and he will be relieved from the payment of all further premiums. 

Should the assured die at any time previously to that fixed for payment 
of the Policy, the sum assured will be paid to his representatives in the usual 
way. Hence you will see that Assurance in this form secures two important 
objects, viz. A protection for the family of policy-holder in the event of his 
early death, and a means of subsistence for himself in old age. 

I beg to add that I have had the honour of being one of the District 
Managers of “THE BRITON ” for many years past, and that I am prepared 
to assure you of its high character and perfectly sound position. 

I shall be happy to wait upon you, or to receive your Proposal for 
Assurance at my Office. 

I am, dear Sir, 

Yours truly, 

F. P. BALKWXLL. I 


LIBERAL ANNUITIES GRANTED. 






THE MILLBAY 



P, ALKALI JLND SODA COMPANY 


(LIMITED), 

PLYMOUTH. 


Successor to THOMAS GILL & Co: Established A.D. 1818. 


MANUFACTURERS OF ALL KINDS OF 



Sold by all Grocers , Chandlers, Perfumers , and Druggists. 


ROYAL ALMOND TOILET, 

B-ichly scented and packed in family boxes containing twelve oval 

cakes of four ounces each. 

MIXED ALMOND, WINDSOR & OTHER SORTS 

In similar boxes. 


EVERY CA.EE IS STAMPED 


“MILLlBAY,” 

I 

With the name of the Soap on the back. 


“MILLBAY” YELLOW SOAP, 

STAM P’E'D 

4 . 4 . 



WITHOUT OTHER WORDS ON THE BAR. 


THE COMPANY ARE THE ONLY MAKERS OP 

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All their Toilet Soaps are ivarr anted to contain no 
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9 


W. a. LUKE, 


jeralMc an# IWotI 


DIE SINKER, 



ILLUMINATOR, BELIEF STAMPER, 


AND MONOGRAM DESIGNER. 

Sketches by the best Artists submitted, and not charged 

if Die is engraved . 


Monogram Stock Dies Not Charged For. 

BEDFORD STREET, PL YMO TJTH. 

F. H. GOULDING, 

(botfaitli, IHatctoliq, 

AND 



43, GEORGE STREET, PLYMOUTH, 


Respectfully invites the attention of the Nobility, Gentry, and Public in 

general, to his STOCK of 



Which is of the most Modern and*-Recherche description, and replete 

in every department. 


$1 jt ganufattunng attb Repairing JUpatjinMuis 

Are conducted on the Premises, by skilful Workmen, under the immediate 
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to guarantee that all orders will be executed in a workmanlike manner. 















MEDALS AWARDED ON ACCOUNT OF 

SUPERIORITY. 




PRIZE MEDAL 



MANUFACTURED ONLY BY 

i 




PLYM OXJTII. 




























































































































